Flowers, Broken Pipes, and Flat Tires.

I began working on my flower bed today, I plan on planting Marigold, Zinnia, and whatever else I can come up with. All from seed as this ground will grow anything.
I did get most of the weeds out but decided David would have to till it for me, at least in patches. The flower bed is full of Cannes and also serves as my bulb garden.
Then I decided I should find out where our line to that area was capped off.

So Sue how did it get capped off?
It was late one night, we had a leak in the water line. We knew we had to fix it, So we did the only logical thing, We capped it off!!
Why? Because that line went to one faucet, it was not a major faucet so it was considered not necessary. WRONG!!
I really need it to keep my flower bed watered. I have to drag a hose to that bed all summer. It is so hard to do, Drag a 100 foot water hose.
Today we decided we would open the line, we began digging, We dig about three feet out from the control valve. NO CAP.
We then go to the other end, where we were sure we had capped it. NOPE!! But we did find the water line, The end that was not capped. We broke the water line.
DARN can it get any worse? Yep, we cant find the cap on the line. We know there is one, because the valve will not work and we have broken the line in two places at the faucet end.
Now we turn the water off to that line, and begin more digging.

Again we dig and dig, (I am sitting on the ground with a pick in my hand and a short shovel to dig the loose dirt out) this time about 6 feet or so. No CAP.
Now we are going to meet the two ends in the middle, what do you bet that is where it is, right in the middle of the driveway? We won't know until tomorrow. I tired out from so much crawling around on the ground. I am too old for this.
But in doing this we are putting down new water line and hopefully no more broken lines in the middle of the night.

Oh the flat tire.
As I am pulling weeds in the flower bed, David drives in.
Something sounds weird in the way the gravel is being picked up. I yell for him to stop. He HAS A FLAT. He said he heard a pop but thought nothing of it. The car still drove OK.
( We all know he has no sense of touch or feel.)
Now he calls for roadside service. Thank god for State Farm Roadside assistance. They came out changed our tire and now it goes to Les Schwab for replacement or repair.
So all is well, All is good, All is so blessed in our lives.

Monday

Today has been pretty uneventful, I still have this cold and laryngitis, but think I am rounding the corner. We will see tomorrow.
David is lots better and He was one day ahead of me in this so I know my turn is tomorrow.

In other thoughts, I have been pretty concerned about my baby sister, Yes she is in her late 50s but she is still my baby sister. I seem to have always been concerned about her.
When our Dad died, I recall her crying at school. I went in, (big old 11 year old me) picked her up in my arms and held her. The school nurse made me put her down. I was just heart broken for her and I felt I needed to help.
I ran her bathwater for several years, Years when she was old enough to do it herself but felt I had a duty to her and the designated baby of the family. She always seemed fragile to me, Not sure why.
On Friday I tried to call her, I felt the need. I got not answer. So tonight I told David, " I have not heard from Jeanette for a while, I think something is wrong."
Sure enough within 30 minutes the phone rang, and she was in the hospital. She is in dire need of prayer. Poor little girl, she barely weighs 90 lbs and has COPD. She is embarrassed about her oxygen but she needs to just accept it as this is part of her now and she is not the only one in this life boat.
That gets me through a lot of problems. Not that I want someone with me but to know someone else is in there, gives me determination to make it through.
No one likes to face trials alone but to know you can beat it is the biggest recovery effort we can make.
We may not beat it but our mind set is such that we can fight harder.
She is not well mentally dealing with all this stuff. (who would be?) She could literally write a book on her trials the last 15 years.
While talking to her and her crying, she told me what she did last night, It involved taking her grandchild back to their dad. I knew instantly why she had gotten so sick. Jeanette has practically raised those two grandchildren. Their welfare is so prominent in her mind, she can not think of herself or how to get well. She only thinks of them, putting herself last.
I wish I had a magic wand to make it all go away for her, all the heartaches, problems and the fear of sleep, Fear she won't wake up, Because she cant breathe.
But I can't, I am only human and all I can do is love her and pray for her safe keeping.
I adore her and always have, Did we ever have tiffs? Of course that is what sisters do but the bond is tight and always will be.
To all you that believe in prayer please whisper a little one for her, she needs to know she is loved and needed.
So this has truly been a Monday, a Monday with me in bed with a cold, my sister in a hospital bed with COPD and me so far away. I would love to help and hold her hand.
I only pray God gives me the right words to say when I talk to her. The words of encouragement and words to console her troubled spirit.
She says she is not a strong person to pull herself up, but with Gods help we can all pull ourselves out of the pits we dig.
So pray for her, her children and family.

He was despised and rejected of men, A man of great sorrows .

He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth.

Isiah 53:3,7

Lord be my example when my heart is pierced

by rejection or scorn...

In the strength of you power,

in the comfort of your presence,

in the quiet of your peace,

Help me stand.

Random thoughts.

This is a photo of just one of the millions wild flowers covering the field, Isn't it beautiful, and all the grasses around it, actually the flower is a weed flower, but I don't care, it is still lovely to look at for a season.
<

Another day is done. David and I are wiped out but did accomplish a lot. I finally finished one of my flower beds, I moved three loads of rock and put down landscape fabric while David mowed the lawns. Today was a burn day, good day to get rid of the big pile of limbs that seem to accumulate over winter, We did that and it went up fast, (it was pretty dry stuff), We also vacuumed the pool. It is now ready for swimming, as soon as the temperature of the water rises.

We are preparing for spring and summer, while our Daughter in Oklahoma is dealing with 6 inches of snow. I do not envy her at all. I don't like cold. Burrrr.

As we cleaned the pool we recalled all the times with the grandchildren in the pool. Charles family with three boys, Kens family with five children, (soon to be six) and Last year, Sheri and her four. I can still picture little ET with his nose plugs, goggles, and swimmers. He certainly fit his name, (one I gave him) ET. He looked the part of an Extra Terrestrial.

It just won't be the same without children here. However we look forward to visitors this summer from Arkansas to fill in the blank spots. You know, those spots you have in your life, where you need other people to fill, to add dimension to your life.

I think our niece and her husband will be here, they want to tour the Redwoods.

Now that I do enjoy. I can have the best of all worlds in the Redwoods. Coastal, Fog, HUGE trees, mountainous terrain, and you feel like you could just get lost in the beauty. I never want to leave there when we visit. Such a treat. Maybe we should plan that this summer also.

Today as we worked in the yard, we had to take a break to look at the flowers.

In order to see them perfectly you must lie down on the ground and look across the field, they are just wild flowers and about 3 inches tall but make a carpet of pale lavender.

I told David yesterday I would show him this morning. The Flowers close up later in the day but are in full beauty before noon. So today we stopped and lay on the ground to see the beauty surrounding us.

As usual our Cat, (Smokey, he is a gray Russian Persian) had to have his tail in our face and wait for his petting. At one point I took a photo and all I got was cat tail. It was in my face. We laughed. Even more hysterical is Smokey when he is happy, or very content. We rub his tummy and under his neck, he arches his back and his rear end rises into the air, then, Get this, He drools. Really he has this drool just dripping from his mouth when we rub him for any length of time. It is hilarious. M certainly got a big laugh out of it.

My forsythia is gorgeous again, As usual. I highly recommend that plant for anyone wanting color, It is color in the spring and so beautiful and lasting, possibly three weeks or so. It usually blooms when my daffodils bloom, They are both Yellow and compliment each other beautifully.

Right now we both have laryngitis. David is much worse than I am. Oh by the way, don't ever ask him to sing, He is horrible when he is well but today I begged him to stop as it was hurting my ears. He was croaking out a song, at the very least trying. LOL

Every time I think of that word I remember Laura Ingalls, (Little house on the Prairie series) She and Mary feigned laryngitis (they looked it up in a medical book) so they would not have to go to church. They told their dad, they had *laren-git-e-us, that is the pronunciation they used so I use it when we have it. Just a quirk of mine.

Happy Birthday Princess

I come home in the morning light
My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

The phone rings in the middle of the night
My father yells what you gonna do with your life
Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one
But girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have--

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls-- they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world
I want to be the one to walk in the sun
Oh girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls--they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun,

They want to have fun,
They want to have fun...


If M were to have a theme song, this would be it, (of course that is my thoughts on it) I see her as a free spirit, bound to have fun, even to the point of starting a WEIRDOS club.




Today is the 12th birthday of my Oldest Granddaughter.

(Here she is with her best friend, her Mom.)

She is a free spirit and always has been. She has set her own boundaries since she was born. (actually she was the only Grandchild that came into the world bottom first and legs over her head.) (Her mom had to have a C-Section.)
When M was born, she was the longest legged baby I had ever seen.
When her Dad and I went back to see her after delivery, the nurse was trying to get her to lie on her back, so she could measure and wrap. M was having none of that, she put those long legs up and turned to her side. The nurse laughed and motioned to her Dad and I to watch the show.
Mike said, "That is my Model".
He was right, she could be a model, at 12 years old she is 5'8" and as beautiful inside as she is out.
M is a lady in all respects. She is kind to her brothers, she is also getting pretty adapt in the kitchen. She is her Moms princess and loves her status in the family.
When M was little, as in two or three, I would take her to the park and swing with her on my lap. I would run with her and climb the monkey bars. (not an easy chore for an old lady).
Today she will not set on my lap, but I know she loves me just the same.
She is precious to me.
I love you Princess, Happy birthday.

52 Years

Fifty two years ago this month, I lost my Daddy. It seems so hard to imagine that so much time has passed. However he would be 94 years old, he was only 42, Such a young man, when he died.
We talked of him yesterday and how we survived those years, years of not knowing if he would live another day.
In 1957 the only treatment for heart disease was nitro and if you got really bad, you went into the hospital and had oxygen. That was it.
So he died needlessly young.
I was recalling the last hunting trip he went on. My Mama always hated for him to take off with his gun to find wild game. But Daddy was a Brown and he was stubborn and he wanted to hunt. Often and possibly every time one of the boys went with him.
This time, I think he was alone. I can still picture him standing at the edge of the woods by our house, Yelling, " HEY! HEY! I need some help."
Of course my Moms first thought was that he had an attack. She ran, as we all did.
No he had only killed a deer. He needed help to bring it home. One of the boys returned with their little red wagon and the deer was placed in the wagon and pulled home.
I hated these times, I would not eat much meat and Deer was certainly out of the question. In addition the deer meat was processed at our dining table. Processed, as in butchered, cleaned, packaged and wrapped. Plus Mama had a meat grinder and made something with it.
I don't know what, probably hamburger. I stayed out of the kitchen. "Gagging"
But that was my daddy's last deer. I don't know why I remember it so vividly but I do.
As I said, I can see him standing in the woods, old work hat on, coveralls, and work shirt. He was pretty proud of himself. He had provided more food for us.
About that. MY Mama was a magician at keeping food on the table for us. She was the most talented lady I ever knew.
She could butcher that deer, and hogs, and chickens, and we always had a freezer full.
In the summer she put away so much food, there was no way we would run out. We raised two gardens and the only pesticide we used was ourselves.
I picked potato bugs. I had to help keep the garden cleared of weeds, and I better not chop down the veggies in the process.
Not only me, we all helped.
Roy was the mule on Daddy's plow. He laughs about that now. He would tie onto the front so Daddy would not have to push the plow so hard. Roy would pull.
We always had the first plowing done by a colored man, He would come with his mule and break up our garden spots.
Daddy would build chicken pens and we raised our own chickens and some were saved for laying hens. So we always had eggs.
A friend loaned us a cow so we had fresh milk and butter.
Sometime I wish it were still that way. Life was so much simpler. No bills other then the bill at the local grocery store which was paid every payday. Rent, which was about 5 dollars a month and utilities. That was it, We paid as we went or we did not go.
Daddy was good at providing what he could and Mama was good at making it last.
We never never went hungry.
The month of March and every day I remember my Daddy and what he was to me.
I do not recall a lot of things with him as he had his first attack at 38 years old, I was only 7. I just remember being afraid for him. He cried easily. He was a very emotional man. I have grown to love that part of him so much. I never understood it when I was young, but today I completely understand.

Beauty in the Drive

Yesterday as we finished breakfast, (10 o'clock) we decided to make a trip to YC to see the kids. It was a spur of the moment decision, the best kind.

The trip down was so nice, We took the old 99 route so we could see all the fruit orchards in bloom, Peaches, Pears, almonds, prunes and last but not least the Lavender fields out of Gridley.

They were all beautiful. Perfect weather for such a drive.

I also must say, visiting the babies was wonderful too. Before the door was even unlocked, we could hear them yelling, "Hi Mamaw, Hi Papaw. They're here, They're here." We are then greeted by the beautiful smiling faces with Ken and Kris not far behind.

We picked lemons from Kens tree and now I can put lemon juice in the freezer. Since they moved to YC I have not bought lemon juice for my cooking, at all. In fact I have not bought lemons for anything. Not even lemonade. I freeze the juice in cubes and take out as I need to. They have the best lemons I ever ate. Lemons as a rule are very sour, these are a nice medium lemon flavor, without the extreme sour. They make the BEST lemonade.

We stayed a few hours then back on the road. I let David drive, that is why we left to get home before dark.

My right leg hurts so much when I drive. I think my bony hiney presses on a nerve on that side. Of course by the time we got home I had shifted my position at least 20 times. I do not travel well. I took my pillow out of the car and I pay for it every time I travel without it, even to the local stores.

So back to the Lavender fields, I had to have a photo.

Imagine a huge field covered in lavender and white. Well you don't have to imagine it I will attach a photo, if computer is cooperating today.

The Smell was intoxicating.

Been a While

Been a while since I posted. I think I have been pretty busy but not a lot accomplished. I did get one of my Rose Gardens cleaned. Plus I have crawled around on the ground for the last two days pulling weeds from the rocks. Finally the trees are cleared out. Round up is sprayed on all the weeds and I have put lighting around the drive perimeter.
Looks pretty good.
I have been working on a design for my herb garden, just not sure how to proceed.
David will have to till it for me, as the tiller shakes me pretty hard. I am not as strong as I used to be. (Imagine that.)
So mostly we are ready for spring. I have one more rose garden to clean out and weeds to blow away from the pool fence.
I plan to buy three Redwood trees for the yard. We need something going on, on the west side of the pool.
That is one bare place. I think Redwood is the way to go, as they are evergreen and will fill in nicely. And I can keep them watered in that area, as it is under sprinkler system.
I am just thinking on my blog, so please excuse me for jabbering on and on about my plans. I must have plans in place or I feel like I accomplish nothing.
And if I don't have something to do I get bored pretty easy.
Last night we went to dinner at a Restaurant in town, Wow they were pricey, PRICEY. Needless to say we won't go there again. It was OK for one shot though. We went for Gwena's birthday. Since she lost Dave, she said birthdays did not mean much to her. Actually her words were, "Since my sweetie is not here to celebrate, I really don't care about a party." So we all went to dinner together. I think five couples with three youth. Big party at the table. We did enjoy it a lot.
Remember last year on Davids birthday when we had guest that we did not know? They came with another couple. The gentleman went to school with our Dear friend, Ron Colosio. So it was fate that they were here and meant to be. (bonus was we made new friends.) We really like these people so we visited with them last night. It was a very nice visit.
Well we have become friends although we only see them at family functions but I may change that, I am thinking of having them and the Colosio's out for dinner. I am sure I will soon.
Well two more months and we finally get away for a few days, (weeks).
We are looking for a house sitter.We have one person in mind. She is 16 and has her own car. She is John Colosio Daughter. However she seems to have a pretty level head. We just can't think of anyone else unless Tyler. Not sure on that one, I trust him explicitly but not sure of his friends.

In other news, last week I was to have my hair cut and colored. (Blond and Auburn weave).
My new hairdresser called to say her daughter was sick and she had to cancel. I assured her it was OK, today she called and now I am booked for next week. I am ready for a new do. That and new makeup and I may feel human again.
I feel so bummed out lately, I don't even want to go to town. I am out of items, every day I say "Tomorrow I will get it done." Well tomorrow is not here yet.
When I do shop, I only go where I HAVE to go and to heck with the items I have been out of since February 9Th. (that is the day I threw my makeup away).
Now it is getting to a necessity and I will be going tomorrow or Saturday or Sunday or not at all.
We don't have a second car, I wonder if David did that on purpose, (sold his truck)
just to keep me home.
Oh well he does bring it to me when I ask, but I detest having to go back for him at 2 o'clock. That is my rest time. So I usually do without things because I am too tired to shop later in the day. It must be done early or not at all.
OK that is it for this post, talk to you all later. That is my mundane life.

Rainbows

I stood in the rain today, I had to go outside to watch the beautiful rain fall. It was one of those gentle rains, Sun was shining, Clouds in the west were dark and clouds in the east were light. In those eastern clouds were the inevitable rainbow.

You may be able to see the double rainbow, top one is very light but definitely there.

I know, I know I seem to write about these a lot. Fact is I love rainbows. They speak to my spirit, my heart, my very being.

They say, " Tomorrow is a better day. I promise you this."

So often when I see something beautiful, as the rainbow, the rain falling gently, the trees just beginning to bloom, the flowers in bloom, a beautiful bird nest. I want to share it.

More often than not, David is indisposed and can't join me. (tonight he was in the shower).

Today as I was standing in the rain, (feet were getting wet, but it was one of those lovely rains you can walk in) at the edge of the house, I thought, "Who would I share this with if he were unavailable?"

Answer is hard to find. I just do not know. He is the one I want beside me. Someone to share A gift, a gift of just a moment of something wonderful.

Rainbows come and go so fast, as life does, As each of our little ones do.

When I think of all I missed when my babies were babies, and marveled at the wonderful adults they grew into, I think how time went too fast.

David and I did share in these wonderful times. I think of how many people are unaware of these blessed moments. I wonder "Did I take enough in to store in my memories?" I think so, I recall all the laughter the tears, the trials. I think of how much I loved them and still do.

Often we want to take back the bitter words, the hurt we caused but you can not live with regrets, you live with the future and make the most of each moment left.

We all have these moments, and we must remember these Moments are as fleeting as the rainbow in the Eastern Sky.

Cherish each one, cherish each rainbow, cherish each promise we are given and know tomorrow Life begins anew.

Weekend

Another weekend is over and time has come to hit the hay. I am pretty tired but I did nothing. At least nothing on Saturday and Sunday. It was too cool to be outside.
On Friday David came in to get the car about noon. It was such a beautiful day he decided to stay home. I second that idea. We began working and worked until late.
He mowed and I cleaned the pool and trimmed the grape vines.
The pool filters were clean to begin with but when I was through they were totally covered in sand.
So we had to clean again. It is amazing how much sand blows into the pool in one winter. However it looks great now.
We have so many things to accomplish. We need a couple of loads of rock brought out to re-cover the road before we lose the work we did earlier. Our neighbors will be in on that one.
We need a load of bark for the rose garden, I need to mow the back area and I am still debating on an area for my herb garden. With six (6) acres you would think it would be a cinch. Not so, I just cant decide, plus it needs a good tilling and week killing.
It has to be where I can go from my kitchen to the yard to pick fresh herbs. Chives, Sage, Oregano, Dill and Rosemary, I am sure lots of others, I do have mint growing beside the house so I am covered there.
Problem, I saw my neighbors dog pee on my oregano and I became furious. as I said, I have no dog but I am constantly cleaning up after them. Which reminds me, I need to check on Shasta County leash law. I think they have to keep them leashed or in a secure yard.
I hate to complain but I am afraid of their pit bull. Scares me to death.
Plus he wants to come into house. He stood with his paws on my glass entry door on Friday and I freaked out. I ran him off, but how long will that last?
Saturday and Sunday it has been pretty cool, In fact not over 54 all day.
Friday we had our hot tub fixed so we made use of it on Friday night. It felt so good to soak in the tub.
Today we watched movies and I filled out crossword puzzles and read some of my book.
It is so neat to relive those memories.
I also cooked a huge Corned beef and cabbage. I know it is not St. Patricks day yet but i wanted to cook something that would last us a couple of days. It worked, all I had to do today was warm it all up.
Tomorrow I think I will take David to work and find parts for my tractor and put them on. Then back to town to pick him up at 2. Going to be another long day. Town and I do not do well together. I had much rather be home and relaxing, going to town just seems to ruin my entire day.
Maybe I will drop in to see my Friend, Gwena, while I wait for stores to open.
Please keep her in your prayers, she goes in Friday for the injection into her spine to help the break heal at the C-12 vertebrae.
She is one tough lady so I am sure she will fight it all the way. She is determined to be up and about her business, every day.
I admire her for that tenacity. Kind of like me, I detest being down for any length of time or even for a day or two.
OK that is our weekend, Not much exciting going on here.

Tractor

I am so irritated but I am also excited about the idea of working on my tractor.
It is finally started, (battery charged) but It sputters. It runs a few seconds then dies. the engine will race then just die. When I began the chore of replacing the gas line and filter, It was doing the same thing. I assumed it was because of gas flow, So now what do I do?
David helped me as much as he could yesterday. Finally I decided I can do this, I took the carburetor cover off and checked it out, (as much as you can without removing the entire thing).
It is pretty dirty.
I am assuming it is the dirt that is making it so stubborn.
I called my Son, He laughed when I said, I can rebuild it if necessary, (He knows I can). For information Charles is the one we all call for mechanical problems.
Charles suggestion, "Go to Napa and buy a spray to clean the carburetor". Huh??? I did not know such an item existed.
The problem sounds like something in the line or poor contact. (I think)
But then I am always thinking.
So today that is my chore, shop, come home work on the tractor more and if all else fails. SCREAM!!!!
The grass is getting pretty high in the field and I NEED to mow. Lord knows we can't afford to hire someone to mow for us. That would be a big waste with the tractor setting there waiting for a knowledgeable hand and mind.
Obviously not mine.

Monday

Monday, Monday Can't trust that day.

I am, for some reason, always wiped out on Mondays, I spent most of the day in bed, Again.

David came home not feeling well either. His arms and shoulders hurt and he has a temp. I saw it as soon as he walked in the door. Here I am staying in bed and he is out in the "cold, cruel world earning a living." A statement he loves to make.

Tomorrow I plan on getting more work done. We were supposed to have Joe and Jack and George here tomorrow, (for tax work) but it is cancelled until next week. Fine with me. I was not up to cleaning the house anyway. In addition I make a big table of food for them. The guys always enjoy it so much. I had planned on Corned beef sandwiches and macaroni salad with cinnamon rolls to follow up.

I think I will go into town and get my tree, if they are not out, at Costco. I will have to bring it home in the trunk of my car but that is OK too. I can have the guys load it for me. One of our flowering pear, was broken in the wind storm last year, I hoped it would come back, one of them did, but this one came out from below the graft and it quite ugly.It has to go.

David promised to help me with the tractor tomorrow morning, I think the battery is dead. It sounds like it. We can boost if from my car battery. Then I can get this grass mowed, it is getting quite tall, especially outside the lawn areas. I usually have it mowed by now. However I have to put the mower deck back on. What a job that will be.

Wednesday I am having my hair done. Weave and cut. I am desperate. So tired of it right now.Plus I may go shopping for more jeans, I have a coupon for 30 % off and I need jeans or Capri's. Guess my shorts are out this year, everywhere but home. My legs are getting too bad for shorts in public. You know saggy skin.

So that is our day and plans, hope your was great.

Time Change!!!!!!!!
My inner clock usually prepares me for this change. However this year it is a month early, I was not prepared.
David and I slept until 8 AM yesterday then lay in bed for over an hour talking, and snoozing. Finally we realized we had lots to do. We showered, dressed and went to breakfast.David had wanted to try this place out in Shasta Lake City. He heard it was really really good.
It was good and you could watch the cook in the kitchen preparing your food. It was actually an older gentleman, not a kid.
I ordered a short stack, those pancakes filled my plate. Entirely covering the plate. I ate approximately 1 of them. That was quiet enough food for me. (actually too much)
David had the Chicken Fry Steak and eggs, He loved it.
Nice thing about it, The place was spotlessly clean and small.
We then picked up my cake he ordered for my birthday and came home and began calling friends to come over for cake and Ice Cream.
We had 3 couples over. We visited until pretty late, ( 7 O'clock.) At least Jim and Linda stayed that late. It was a nice visit. We so enjoy company.
Gwena and Memaw were here, and Clay and Marie. Ron and Darlene were out of town and Marilyn was sick. So we had a few but those few were great to see and visit with.
We still have half a cake left. I am going to freeze that piece of Gold.
It was really good. Red Velvet with Cream cheese filling and frosting.
Beautifully done.
Now, That is all I ate yesterday, my pancake, my Birthday cake and one scoop of ice cream.
I know better than that but I was not hungry. So at three AM when I woke up , heart pounding,
sick at my stomach I knew what it was. My Blood sugar had dropped to 61. That makes me so sick. I threw up , took my blood sugar then ate a chocolate. I did not want anything in my mouth, but I knew I had to eat something.
I finally fell back to sleep. 6:30 Again I had the same symptoms. So, So Sick. I then ate a few bites of bread and went back to sleep. I was so tired. When I finally woke completely at 8, I made toast with peanut butter. That seems to have worked to bring my sugar in balance.
When I am not hungry I cant eat. I just cant, I have to nibble to get food down. Food and Water.
David ask me what I can eat that does not make me sick. Bread, That is it. Bread does not make me sick.
So we had a great weekend. Lots of leisure, and For the first time EVER, "Daylight Savings Time" began on my Birthday.
How about that?
Now I think I will go back to bed to get my energy back, That low sugar takes a lot out of you, Tonight I promise to eat normal.
No junk and a full meal.

Plans? Veggies, Gardening?

So what are my plans for the weekend?
Well to begin with, I just told David we must clean floors, clean glass door, drop pool level, scrub walks, general cleaning.
He just shook his head.
One more job to do and Sue has a list. If you make a list, you may be surprised at how fast the work gets done. We find it so much easier to stay on track.
I also told him, for my Birthday, I want little, Just a dance with him.
Now picture this, How do you dance with a cane? LOL
As soon as I said it, I realized his cane may come into play and began to laugh.
Not at him but at the situation.
Now in his defense he can be without it some. As I said, the cane is used as a preventive measure.

Veggies, Tonight I picked up a bag of Veggie straws, like potato chips but made with Spinach, tomatoes and potato's. They are pretty good too. I had to put the bag away as I can feel oil in my mouth and the last thing I need is to be sick tonight.

Gardening, today I saw seed potatoes and I am not ready to plant them. I really want to get my garden in as soon as I can. Potatoes go in when Onion sets go in. Early crop for mid summer harvest.
Problem is it has been so wet, I am afraid they will rot in the ground.
I need someone to break up the garden spot for me.Maybe i can ask my neighbor to disk it several times, He has a BIG tractor.

Tractor, I have to work on it tomorrow, I think the battery is low or the wires to the ignition are loose. Me the mechanic.
I can figure most things out, problem is, I am not strong enough to do some things. The ignition
I am sure I can check out pretty easily but David has to help me with the mower deck.
That is on my to do list.

On Sunday, We aer having a few friends over for cake and ice cream, Gwena,, Memaw, Ron and Darlene and Clay and Marie and who knows, According to how big the cake is.
I wont ever discuss what your Dad paid for it, He wanted to do it for me so I just smiled and said, "Thank You." I rather have a new car. (JOKE)
Today I went shopping and found a pair of jeans, my jeans are in such bad shape I thought new pair would be nice.
Kohls sent me a certificate for 10$and I used it, With my discount, 30% and the $10 off I ended up paying about 8 dollars for the pair.


Girls have you been unmentionable shopping lately? Don't!!!
I am so disgusted, I can't believe the price for Upper unmentionables, They are at least $20 each. I guess it has been too long for me as I walked out and said, "NO WAY"!
Plus, they are not good fits any longer.
Oh the pains of aging. Things droop, things are not even, (thanks to heart surgery), Sizes are changing, ( I never see an ad for droopy parts or uneven parts).
I need help.
Does anyone have suggestions? I am getting desperate.

OK ten o'clock time to rest.
Good night all, I am going to dream of shopping in a massive store for my items I need. I am going to nightmare. It cant be a dream, dreams are good. This cant be good.

3-6

Today is 3-6 , in two days I will be 63.
Not bad for a person that should not be here.
I read, You may get wrinkles on your brow, but do not let wrinkles grow on your heart and mind. A young heart keeps you alive and alert.
So I have the wrinkles on my brow, but my spirit is still a kid. I love to be a part of all things around me. I love to hold my children grandchildren in my arms, I love when the little ones run in and throw their arms around me and smile.
The smile is so genuine. They love us so much and it shows so much.
Such a special place in our hearts they will hold forever. We pray we own a special place in theirs. We often say, "When we are gone, we want them to recall us with laughter and fun."
I am sure that is exactly what they will recall, and our unending love for them.

Found It

I finally found the source of the odor in the garage.
Let me begin by saying, I began the morning cleaning the garage out. I moved boxes, dumped the garbage can, Move the recycles. You got the picture? Do it all, move it all and you are bound to find something.
So I finally take the sink drain apart. There was nothing in it!! Not a thing, Good thing I got it back together with no leaks.
We have a central vacuum in the house, so I decided to lift that lid, just in case. It needed dumped but no odors there.
Now, I spy the old house vacuum. It has sat in the garage and been used for vacuuming the car, cleaning up the garage of spilled junk, Cleaning up Feathers, I spilled.
That was it, As soon as I opened the tank, it almost blew me away. I had to check further. The bag was so full it was overflowing.
(Hey, I so seldom use that vacuum it is just out of my mind.)
I took the overflowing bag to the garbage and opened it up. Sure enough, it was full of feathers and God knows what else.
Now my Garage smells fresh and pine sol clean.
Now on to my Tractor. I have now installed a new gas filter and gas line and four clamps. The clamps were the hardest part. That took dexterity while trying to work under the tractor seat.
I did it and Thanked God all the way through for his help.Without it (his help) I would not have completed the job.
I DID IT!!!
Next I sprayed the drive with Round up. Now maybe I can be ahead of the weeds.
This weekend David has to help me with the blades on the tractor. I tried to loosen the old ones but had no luck. I had put them on too tight. Once the new blades are on, we then have to put the deck back on. I dread that.
Whew!!! That is where I got the spider bite last time.
(I still believe it was a spider bite and, Yes it still hurts a little, and still has a lump but looks good compared to a few short weeks ago.)
So I did get out of bed today, I did accomplish a lot and I did get rid of odors.
Yea Me!!! Gonna walk in my garage and not flinch at the odor.

Rainbows and Sleep

Today has been another rainy day. I am not good on rainy days. It is so depressing to sit in the house so much. I have tried to quilt but I am so exhausted.
This morning I got up at 730, ate my Cream of Wheat, and went back to bed until noon. I kept telling myself it was OK.
The phone rang three times, I just could not muster up the energy to answer it. I figured if it was important they would leave a message.
First call, was David, I heard him and thought, "I will call when I feel better and can talk".
He called two more times but left no message so I assumed it was junk calls.
I should never assume. It was him and he was worried. Suddenly I heard the back door,
(I was still in bed and asleep). I heard him run down the hall.
He ran in calling my name. I asked him "Why are you home?" He said "I tried to call and since you did not answer and the house was still dark and you were still in bed, something was wrong".
I scared him to death. He has to stop that. HE HAS TO!
I Can not be afraid to rest when I need to. Afraid he fly home and check on me. What if I had been in the garage? I can bet he would have breathed a sigh of relief and made up some story as to why he was home. Like "OH I forgot something."
I apologized to him several times for not answering the phone but he does know I do that when it is unknown caller, and if they do not leave messages. I do not take calls identified as unknown.
One of the phones in his office is Unknown Caller. One is J and B. Now we need to figure out which is which so I can identify him.
I do feel much better tonight, I am more alert. I feel like I have a bug or something. You know, can't seem to drag yourself to do the ordinary things that need done.
California needs the rain, and I am happy for it and I am even more happy to see the beautiful rainbows.
Today was no exception. The rainbow was beautiful.
I did make it a point to run outside when I saw the sun and rain together. I knew in the East was my promise of sunshine to come. It makes me stop and think when I see a rainbow. Think of the glory of God in the beauty that surrounds us.
The rain needs to stay longer but it needs to get warmer, Rain is OK but warm rain is better.
Oh man are we never happy? Just complain all time. Complain because it is dry, complain because it rains too long, Complain because it is too hot, Too cold, too windy.
We are human, I guess that is our job. Too bad, I think we should be thankful for his blessings each day.
Now if he will just make me wake up and get my rear in gear.
I really need to clean my stinky garage. The one attached to the house. I have a theory as to the stink.
Recall last fall, my little episode with the down comforter and pillow?
Well I got some of the down in my garage sink. I think some are stuck in the trap. That would stink. Down stinks when it is wet. Feathers stink when they are wet. That is the only explanation I can come up with. I have cleaned the garage and washed it down with bleach and pine sol. I wipe it all down and it still stinks.
Removing the trap is my next option.
So that may MAY be my chore tomorrow. I had planned it today but my body did not cooperate.
On days like this it is a good thing no one depends on me for care, I could in no way take care of anyone let alone myself.
I did get up and call David to let him know I was OK. He was glad I called.
I did make him dinner, (toast, bacon and eggs), Hey food is food. Even if it is breakfast for dinner.
Tomorrow I promise something better.
I do, I promise. Chicken something tomorrow. Maybe dressing casserole with corn on the cob.
Sounds good to me.

YUMmmm

The house smells so good. I am cooking a big pot of beans. I know I will be sick tonight, as Beans usually make me sick, but I love them. Pinto Beans with a slice of bacon and a pan of Buttermilk cornbread. Great Meal.
So far today,I have bleached all my grout, made the bed, made out payroll and been on the phone to Jeanette.
I have been pretty concerned about my sister lately, even to having nightmares. I have tried to call her several times but today I found out she is visiting my brother.
Good, I am glad.that is good for her to get away for a while. It is good for any of us.
We plan our trip soon, We so look forward to it. David has not been to OK for a few years, but why would we? They come here yearly. So we do see our baby girl and her beautiful family.
We are trying to work out a schedule to fit all our needs in this trip. Two weeks is not enough.
I want to see my four remaining uncles and aunts. Two of each, Three from my Moms side and one aunt from my Dads family.
I grew up with these people and Loved them dearly.
They were as much a part of my life as anyone.
My Aunt Lucille always came to our house with her little suitcase in hand. She always helped my Mom out when she was sick and having babies. Aunt Lucille only had one baby so she was able to help out and her dad, (my grandpa) told her to help out.
My Aunt Lucille still carries that same suitcase. I have seen it for over 50 years in her little hand. I find that amazing.
My Uncle Hugh was a comedian or always loved to get me with his jokes. I found him so funny. As a child. I loved him so much as an adult.
My Uncle James was an Elvis look alike. Black hair with one curl in his eye, big eyes and a big tall guy. I loved to just look at him.
My Aunt Polly, She was so sweet. She always had a pony tail, (as long as I could remember,) Imagine my disappointment when I saw her a few years ago and her pony tail was gone. But she is elderly now and does not need that long blond hair.
When I saw her after many years apart, When I got out of the car at her house, I walked up, She walked onto the porch, I said, "Guess who I am." She said, "Susie Brown". I had forgotten she called me that.
We had a great visit and I loved seeing that smile of hers. Always there.
She told me my Uncle Cecil, (Daddy's brother) always loved and admired me. I was quiet and respectful.
So that is who I must see this time. They may not be here much longer as many of us may not be.
Besides all that,I want to see my entire family, but I am smart enough to realize it may not happen, Time gets away.

If I could save time in a bottle. WOW!!!
I would save it forever and cherish each moment.

I was so blessed to have such a great friendship with my uncles and aunts.

Time in a bottle by Jim Croce

If I could save time in a bottle

The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
Id save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That you re the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Ive looked around enough to know
That you re the one I want to go
Through time with

March 1st

I never think of this date, that I do not recall the old tale, March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. I have seen that happen pertty often. (while growing up) Snow on day one, Tornado on Last day or vice-versa. I just seems to fit the month.

We had a very quiet weekend. On Saturday we watched movies, "Music Within" and " Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."
Both were pretty good, but I highly recommend Music Within. It is based on fact and it is well written. The other one had a lot of profanity and that makes me very uncomfortable. However it did leave you with a good feeling. You totally understood the point they writer was trying to make. We got it.
Sunday we decided to try a new restaurant in Anderson, "Vittles". As we approached the door, we saw friends coming out, (Jim and Linda). The place was packed, and at least 25 waiting so we all decided to go to Perkos. It was a very nice visit. We laughed and caught up on all the latest news and gossip. (just kidding).
Then on to Redding to pick up some Costco items, It was raining pretty steady and parking spaces were hard to find close so David would not get so wet walking to the store. In other words the store was Packed. Rainy days always bring people out that and the first of the month.
We had to have cat food, bread, bananas, milk,onions and a few staples like Pepsi for David.

I have another bump on my face, just above the old spot so I am watching it closely. VERY CLOSELY!!!!
The other spot is still sore to wash but it is well as far as I can see.
still red and a little swollen. but hey after the way I looked anything is an improvement.

Davids leg is improving almost daily, I just hope it stays that way, but I am paranoid of him falling on it. He is careful though, as that is the last thing he wants to do is become incapacitated.

Gwena is doing OK. They did find she as osteroporia, (sic) beginning of osteoporosis. That is why the vertebrae broke so easy. Recovery information looks pretty good so we are keeping out fingers crossed. and a prayer on our hearts. She is determined, it will not get her down, plus she is a great candidate for a procedure that injects a form of cement into the vertebrae to seal the break.

So my plans for tomorrow is 'hmmm not much". Maybe clean the house a little, sew, and hope it rains so I don't have to feel bad about not going outside to clean my yards, even a little bit.
Right now I need to make coffee for David for morning, He loves to get up to a pot of coffee just for himself.
He can sit here and read the Razorback home page and have his coffee, banana and milk.
So not a very interesting weekend. Just a very quiet one.

Hope you all had a great one.