The Wonders of Doing

Meeting up with a great group of friends.....

2013-06-19T16:28:00.004-04:00

This past weekend a group of Moms and I had a Meet & Greet on the St. Petersburg Coast Guard Station Dock... these Moms all live around the country and most have Cadets or Enlisted that work the "US Coast Guard Tall Ship Eagle". I was lucky to live here and had only a short drive but these moms had to fly and drive in for the event.

We all belong to a "Coast Guard Moms" group that provides support to new Coastie Moms who have kids entering Basic Training for the first time.

The "Eagle" came into the St. Petersburg, Fl port after a 5 week tour of the Caribbean Forty-five cadets have called this ship home for the last five weeks. They run the Eagle, along with six permanent crew members and 55 enlisted personnel maintain the ship year-round. The Cadets are studying at the Academy in New London, Ct.
This beautiful sailing vessel is a teaching tool for the Academy Cadets and teaches them the skills they will need to complete their studies and become Officers in the US Coast Guard. My son graduated the Academy a few years back and this gave me the opportunity to see and visit this great ship!
The Eagle was built in Germany in 1936. It was taken by the US after World War II as a war prize. Below deck is the original plaque. There are several things that are still the originals, including 85% of the wood in the Flag Cabin, the furniture and a sink with the words "auff" and "zu" in German.
For the cadets, it's a great experience to be training on a ship with so much history.

It was a glorious beautiful hot Florida day and we had such a good time while we waited for this ship to come into port.
The Florida sun was up in full force this day, that's me with the umbrella while my friend Jane looked out with such pride as the ship came in with her son on board.

Was a fun day for us all.

As everyone knows the "United States Coast Guard" is a branch of the American Military and provides safety and care to our borders both in America and foregin lands when our other 4 military's are at war or working out of the country. For more information on the "USCG" you can see how they do their jobs on the Weather Channel programs,

Coast Guard Alaska and Coast Guard Florida.

Learn more about the Academy Here

The "US Coast Guard" makes us proud.

I'm linking up this post to

Alphabet Thursday

Saying Good Bye To An Old Friend....

2013-06-10T06:20:00.000-04:00

I have a new appreciation for those who loose a long time pet.. the house was much too quite this morning.

Rikki was not at her bowl screaming for food.

Will take some time to get over her not being here.

In her 18 years she moved where we moved and was always the one thing that made the new place a home.

I'm feeling "I took her for granted"

I also know, when someone says "Oh just get another cat"

it's not the same.

"She can't be replaced"

(her last photo)

Busy Sandy, keep busy!

"Bye Bye Sweet Girl"

Saying good bye to "The Pier" in St. Petersburg

2013-05-27T18:21:00.001-04:00

The people gathered on the top level of "The Pier" today to say good bye. St. Petersburg was celebrating Memorial Day and the town was full of beach goers. I'm sure thousands came and went all day to take part in all the activities going on, there was even a ski show.
After 50 something years this pier in St. Petersburg Florida has been a perfect spot for locals as well as tourists to visit. Every day through out the year it's busy in there. Shops, restaurants and an aquarium are (or were) housed inside the large building at the end of The Pier. This was my 'go to' when visitors came down from the north.

The Pier jetties out into the Tampa Bay sitting right beside the Coast Guard Station and I for one will miss it.

At the end of the drive to The Pier is a spot that is so much fun... you can buy fish and feed the Pelicans. Just hold one and dozens come flying in to be fed. I wonder where all of these business will go after today? I did read some will relocate and some simply closed their doors.. such a shame.

There is another design in the works for a new pier but it's been going back and forth between the citizens here.. some like it and some don't. So the city council still has not made a decision as to the design. I know everyone wants this one to stay but it's falling apart and will cost so much more to fix and repair than to build a new one.
Tonight there will be a big send off, fireworks and parties all evening on and around The Pier... No, I will not be there but I bet it will be fun.

And on another note...

This mom and grandma is breathing a big sigh of relief this past week... in a previous post I told about how my daughter and her family survived the Moore, OK tornado. You can read my post Here
I've never been so afraid for someone I love as I was that day. Gina said yesterday "The boys have calmed down and getting back to normal" and that makes my heart sing.

"Have a wonderful week everyone"

Remember them all, on this "Memorial Day"....

2013-05-25T05:33:00.001-04:00

As of 05/24/13: Number of Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom & New Dawn casualties as confirmed by US Central Command: 6679

And to all the Men and Women who lost their lives so we could be free.

"Bless You"

The OKC Tornado, my daughter and family survived .... Thank you Lord!

2013-05-21T11:50:00.000-04:00

I was watching the news and they put out the Tornado Warning for OKC... so I called my daughter and gave her the warning... "Oh Mom, we always have tornado's here"... she and her Coast Guard husband just moved there from Guam 5 months ago.
We talked for a while then she said "her Coastie came home, he sent all his shipmates home to care for their families" then while we were talking she said,, "Mom the sirens just went off, we need to get the kids in the Safe Place, bye for now.

Her bedroom closet is a solid steel structure.

With terror I watched all that happened on CNN. Then Gina called me with terror in her voice and told me of their horrible half hour in the closet. The sound will never be forgotten along with the crys of her 4 small boys. They ventured out of the closet, peeking out the windows and saw the houses across the street, gone. Her yard totally full of debree.. they could not get out the front door.

Her house was spared?

"Mom, OKC is gone".... they had all of a 16 minute warning. They did have a battery radio but had no photos to confirm the devastation. The street behind them, all homes gone! The school one block away totally destroyed. Each new bit of information had her getting more and more shocked. The Medical Center where her now 2 month old was born is totally destroyed.
We did manage to speak several times but she had to conserve battery power on her cell, my heart was so grateful they were spared.

Mom we have no electric and don't know what is going on, can you send me photos or videos? I did, to her cell, from CNN and she was totally shocked... "I failed my children" she cried to me. We were told to get underground and I did not know my neighbor had an underground shelter! If our house was hit, my children!... I did all I could to calm her but I'm sure her heart is in so much pain and shock.

We have not talked this morning, again I'm sure they are trying to conserve cell battery until they can find somewhere to plug in but I know they are ok... Her husband walked to the school last night and did what he could do to help... This is just horrible.

And I worried about them while they lived in Guam, earthquakes three times a week.

Lord take care of all those poor people who have no homes, and their families are suffering.

"Thank you Lord for sparing my children"

A beautiful morning to wander the yard and the OKC tornado's.....

2013-05-20T11:09:00.002-04:00

This past week has been a hard one for me... not only stuck indoors but recovering from a really big surgery and today I had to get out in the air and sun. I've been on pain meds so walking as if I had some balance and sense was out of the question.. was rather funny to see me really.

As I first stepped out on the back deck the Mandevilla was blooming in the most beautiful color of red.
Then I could not believe my eyes but the Gladiolus bulbs I planted just two weeks ago were as high as my hips.. should be in flowers soon but I'm wishing they would hold off for another two weeks since I entered my yard in a contest.. ?

Then there is the Trumpet tree in full bloom. These flowers open as wide as a tea saucer and so beautiful.

Not too far from the Trumpet were the Day Lillie's stretching towards the sun. In another few days the area will be full of beautiful orange flowers.

Everything out back is so beautiful and green and this alone really made me feel so much better. It's good to get back to normal. Another week or so I can get my hands dirty and pull some weeds that managed to sneak in while I've been indoors.

Last but not least is the Gardenia bush... totally in bud with a few flowers blooming. I wish you all could smell the air outside my front door. Some may even say "It's too powerful" but I love it!

Ok, back inside and sit still for a few more days. The Mr. was yelling at me for going out there but as all of you know the fresh air is the best thing for healing.

I got a phone call from my daughter yesterday, "Mom there is a tornado over our town" (She lives in OKC)... as she and her family went into the "Safe Place" in her bedroom. Her master bedroom walk in closet is a totally square box steel storm shelter, with 5 dead bolts inside to keep the door from opening. It houses not only their clothes but their Storm supplies...Makes me feel so good knowing they have that room.

For those of you in the path of all those storm, "Stay Safe"

"Have a wonderful week everyone"

I'm linking up to
Make it Pretty Monday

"Happy Armed Forces Day"

2013-05-18T11:06:00.001-04:00

To all who serve, both past and present.

Where would we be without you?

"Happy Armed Forces Day"

It's day 6 of a radical surgery.....

2013-05-14T18:45:00.000-04:00

It's day 6 of my recovery from surgery and I'm so glad to be past it all. This really hit me harder than expected.

What I had done ........

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy; Laparoscopic Supracervical ... it is called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, uteroscaral ligament colposuspension cystoscopy and anterior and posterior colporrhaphy.

Boy that is a mouth full.

I did not intend to talk about this on my blog but today's news of "Angelina Jolie's" decision to have a total mastectomy has me thinking even more that I made the right decision for myself.

Over the years there has been so much cancer in my family. My mom, her mom, and her 3 sisters all had one form or another of a deadly cancer.
I've been living with the fear and although each year I had the testing done to detect cancer in my system this deadly disease seemed to have jumped my generation and went on to my then 22 year old daughter (today she is 44 and doing great) who was diagnosed with cervical dysplasia and part of her cervix removed at such a young age.

This past few years I've been suffering with a very large fibroid and it gave me such problems and after talking to my doctor we decided to remove it along with my uterus and since there was so much cancer to be concerned with we also removed the ovaries, tubes and part of the cervix. The reason why only part of my cervix was removed, we needed to use the remaining part as an anchor to reinforce the vaginal wall that was prolapsing from the weight of the volly ball size fibroid. (yes I said Volly ball) You would never have know I had such a large fibroid as I wear a size 6 slacks. Where it was hiding is beyond me? I lost 8 lbs since the surgery!

I could have lived with all this until someone told me I had cancer but like "Joli" I was not wanting to wait for that to happen and when the news of her surgery came today I wondered how she would feel of having the surgery I had. She is young, 37, and she may still want more children? Her Breast Cancer percentage went from 86% down to 5% and that is a lot. The article said she was not thinking of removing her ovaries (her mom died from ovarian cancer at a young 56yrs) at this time.
My surgery just put my breast cancer scare down by 50% as all the reproductive organs are connected somehow.

I'm feeling so good about what I had done and now can look to the future without this one worry.
I'll have to tell you all, this type of surgery has left me in such pain. Just today I got up and walked around without my hot pad pressed against my tummy. I am still on the pain meds but I can think clearer and that is a plus. I was told it will take another few weeks until I'm back to normal but my mind is at ease for once in many years.

Since the news came out today about "Jolie" there is also more talk on how many other women have chosen to do this sort of elective surgery to save their lives. It may seem radical but we all deserve a long and happy life.
If any of you have had this on your minds talk to your doctors and look into your family tree. As I said before I had 5 women in my family die from these reproductive cancers and this was a large part of my decision although not one had Breast Cancer. Two did have ovarian? I don't have that worry any more.

I'll be taking another week or two then will get back to blogging.
Take care of yourselves.

Thoughts on Mothers Day 2013

2013-05-11T04:33:00.000-04:00

When Mothers Day comes around my heart still seems a bit sad. I am missing my Mom just as much as I did the day she died. Why she chose Mothers Day 1998 to leave this world has my mind smiling as I know Mom wanted us to be sure to remember the day.. All of you out there who have lost your Moms know the feeling, one that always comes to our hearts each day of the year. I can still hear her voice and smell her sent. Her loving ways are still with me and with much love I'm sending all the vibes I can muster up to the heavens to her on this Mothers Day.

As a Mom I want to thank my kids for all the wonderful years they have given me. My three all live in different areas of the country and it's been 9 years now since I've had the pleasure of having them all under my roof together. The photo below is my son and two beautiful daughters.

Gina, Cyndi and Tom

This past April my Gina gave me a new grandson. Little Henry had the pleasure of joining his three brothers, Dad and Mom and is such a lucky boy to have joined this happy loving family.

My kids have always been there for me over the years and spending time with them has been a priority when we can manage to get together. I received such a sweet gift the other day from my daughter-in-law Michelle.

(makes me think she likes him)

The marriage between Michelle and Tom gave me my wonderful grand daughter Eve. This young lady is as sweet and grown up as she can be and I'm so proud of her. She called me the other night so excited, "Grandma I got a job" Her first at the tender age of 14 and "it's in a comic book store"

My daughter #1, Cyndi. This girl (woman) has made me so proud. She has been working so hard to build a great life for herself, bought her first home this past year and has turned it into her dream. When I need help or anything Cyn is always the first to come running.

Below is another gift I received in the mail, just today. I belong to a great group of women, "Coast Guard Moms". We had a gift exchange for Mothers Day and the gift is a beautiful mosaic cross. In the center is the Coast Guard insignia. How did she know I have a collection of crosses scattered around my home? How did she know how special the USCG is to me and my family?

Mothers Day comes and go's each year but each day to me is Mothers Day just knowing and having my children. They make my life special and I can say with great pride,

"They have made my life what it is today"

Wishing all the Moms and Dads and Grandparents, Caregivers and Guardians, who take care of and raise kids.

"Happy Mothers Day"

15th Annual Community Water-Wise Awards .. Do I have a chance?

2013-05-04T16:32:00.000-04:00

Today I entered a contest..

Tampa Bay Water is accepting applications for the 15^th Annual Community Water-Wise Awards program. If your yard incorporates Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles with attractive design, it may have what it takes to win! The application is online at tampabaywaterwise.org and must be received by June 30, 2013.

If you are a resident, business, builder or other organization in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties as well as the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey, you are eligible to apply!

For the past 9 years I've been working so hard to get this yard "Florida Friendly"

When I first moved in it was a messy slope and every time the rains came it would wash the soil down into the creek. The only way I could see saving the soil was to create barriers of brick pavers and as much ground cover as I could. Well I think I've finally achieved this with many plantings that created roots to stop the erosion. I also now do not need as much water to keep it all alive.

The contest asked for only one photo so I hope this collage is ok because it's the one I sent?

I do think I have a good chance because I went into their past winners and I can see I'm right in there.

See the past winners here

What do you think? Please be honest with me because I'll be chewing my nails until it's over.

I sent in my application today although I have a few months before they will send out someone to walk my yard (July)... (that is a good thing because I can still add a few things to make it even better).... The Prize is a simple stepping stone for my yard and that would really make me happy because it's acknowledging my hard work.

Wish me luck!

I'm linking up to
Outdoor Wednesday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Tuesdays Garden Party

Garage Sale Pitcher and Vase... for the bathroom?

2013-04-29T20:10:00.001-04:00

This past Saturday I found two sweet little vases. Well one is a pitcher but they both will be nice with some kind of flowers in them. I thought the white would work on a shelf in my newly painted bathroom but then when I saw the blue one... it just looked better.
Each of these cost me all of a dollar. So I splurged and bought some silk daisy's from Michaels.

The paint color I bought for the walls said "Billowy Down" so why is it looking blue? Must be the light and the camera because when I'm in the bathroom it looks white?
I'm not sure what to put on the opposite wall.... will have to venture through Home Goods next week. Maybe 4 prints to go over the tub? Floral or something?
You may notice the hand towel hanging on the hook under the shelf.. it's one of my moms. She has been gone almost 17 years now and this old ratty towel hangs in my bathroom no matter where I am... brings me joy just to see it.

Oh I hate the color of the tub! Really!

My plan, in a few weeks, I will get the paint and finish tub and tile in white. I want that "Old French Farmhouse" look in this bathroom and It will happen eventually. But for now it looks so empty.

The counter top is making me so happy now that it's not the ugly yellow laminate. My plan to add another sink to this rather large vanity was put on hold since the budget is laughing at me.... so it will only get a new fancy faucet. I've been doing research on how to install the new faucet. Wish me luck with this!

(now this photo, the walls look green? take my word for it, their white)

Rain is on the way. Our rainy season is coming early. That means storms each afternoon for the next few months. I just love our loud stormy afternoons. My garden loves it too!

BTW...

Leave it to Pinterest to make ya feel dumb...Peeling An Orange, Like A Boss. Cut or pull the top and bottom circles from the orange/tangerine. Then slit between two sections and roll it out. MIND BLOWN.

Have a wonderful week everyone because

I sure am.

I'm linking up to

Share your Cup

Another busy day working on the upstairs bath and my Hoya is blooming....

2013-04-27T19:22:00.001-04:00

Today was another one of those busy days for me. I went back to working on my upstairs bathroom but first I needed to go out and water most of my potted plants. Our heat is back and in just one day they all dry out. I noticed on the upstairs balcony the Hoya was blooming. They are the sweetest flower clusters and mine are pink although they do come in white and lavender. The plant has very long trailing vines and the flower has a waxie feel about them. I think they feel and look like china. I don't get an aroma but some say this flower does have one?

Then it was into my painting clothes and up to the bathroom I went to finish plastering areas where I took out the 1970's china TP, soap and tooth brush holders. They match the tub and tile, a really deep cream color from the era. Once I finish with the walls I'm going to attempt to paint the tub (that is for another post) and install a new white toilet.
After pulling out the holders I used a scrap of drywall and plaster to repair the holes.

Then I installed the new wood medicine cabinet. Looks so much better than the old rusty outdated 1970's cabinet that was there. I was surprised how easy it was to remove the old and install the new one.. just a matter of 4 screws then plastering the torn and broken spots in the dry wall that I created when moving out the old.

The walls are being painted a fresh coat of Behr,
"Billowy Down" paint.
See what I mean about the ugly tub and tile. I priced new but the budget just laughed at me. Strange but my shower stall is tiled in a white color?

I'll tell you now that I've painted the kitchen counter I have so much more faith in all the new paints out there that are budget friendly. It's been three years now since doing the kitchen counter top and it's holding up wonderfully. I did the counter in this bath just three days ago and paid all of $19.99 for a quart and I still have about half the can left.
From the old 1970's yellow laminate to a very soft "Ash" (gray) color and it really looks nice with the white walls and vanity. I noticed the tub, tile and toilet are cream. Sink and shower tile is white. Wonder who put this room together because it's all original to the house?

This beauty below will be installed into the sink. Now this excites me to have a new faucet.

A tall faucet!

I spent about 4 hours patching and painting and now I'm tired. Time to sit still for the evening and continue on with my latest project, a cross stitch bib for my grandbaby Henry. He is just 6 weeks so this one will work in a few months. I have plenty of time to finish.

Feels good to sit! Tomorrow is Sunday and it's my day of rest. Well maybe?

"Have a good weekend everyone"

I'm linking up to
Sunny Simple Sunday
Sew Darn Crafty
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tuesdays To Do List

Warning, Watch out ladies. Mirror Image.. interesting, very interesting....

2013-04-24T17:28:00.001-04:00

Watch out when you or your family are in a dressing room, hotel room, or bathroom away from the home.

I didn't know this, but I sure will remember it now!
How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?

Here's how: I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror. Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on.

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms . It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by looking at it.
So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?

TWO WAY GLASS IMAGE MIRROR

Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is GENUINE mirror. However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then
Warning, IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!

"No Space, Leave the Place"
So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.

Watch out, remember,

No Space, Leave the Place

I'm linking up to Jennys letter "W"

Alphabet Thursday

Catching up on a few projects that I just let slide....

2013-04-23T17:14:00.002-04:00

My up stairs bath was a project I started almost three years ago and just this week I got back to working on it.
You know how it is, one thing leads to another and it just did not get finished. The vanity was old builder grade brown wood and I painted it with the hopes of getting a new counter top with the addition of a second sink but finances did not permit so the ugly yellow laminate won the battle and stayed.

Then there was the cross stitch I started last year for my daughters family... at the time there were only three little boys and just this past April they were blessed with baby boy #4. Well I had to find a way to add this new addition and I squeezed Henry into the design.

The only spot I could find to put Henry was between mom and dad cat and it worked out perfectly.

As for the counter top I taped it and painted the color I was going for in the bath, grey and white (the old blue walls will change to soon) but once I put on the grey I chose, I realized it was awful (much too dark and muddy looking) and ran to the HD and bought a new color called "Ash"...

Oh yes, a much calmer color and I really like how it turned out.

I think the bathroom reno bug has come back to me and I pulled the old dated towel bar, tooth brush and soap dish from the walls. My patch is not perfect but once dried I'll sand it smooth before the wall paint go's up. My mind sees a wooden towel rack with shelf on top and that means I need to hit the garage sales for this.
As for the soap dish and tooth brush rack, not going to replace. I keep our toothbrushes in the drawers. Do you know how the toilet sprays around your bathroom when flushed, if the lid is not put down first?

Well all I can say is ewwww! You have a choice, put the lid down or put your brushes out of the way!

My cross stitch is finished and all I need to do now is find a packing box to fit then to the post office heading for OKC.

The bathroom will be done in steps over the next few weeks. I'll squeeze in a hour here and there until I finally get it done.

Funny thing I looked on my list of projects and there are 7 all together that are almost half finished.

Why do I do this to myself?

"Have a great week everyone"

I'm linking up to
Adorned From Above

A beautiful day to piddle around the house and yard.

2013-04-19T20:05:00.001-04:00

I walked out my front door this morning and heard the chirp-chirp of little ones in the flower pot. As much as I wanted to get a better look at the newly hatched baby Finches I left it alone. Mom and Dad have been flying in and out for several weeks now and my coming and going has not seemed to bother them. The Hoya in the pot has not been watered for weeks and still looks good so I'm leaving the new family alone. These little Finches are so loud as they sit in the tree most of the day, right by the front door. It's a nice sound and I think I'll miss it once the family leaves the nest.

Today was a day full of different chores. I clipped many of my herbs and set them to dry. My kitchen window is the best place to hang them. Below is a good bunch of Oregano that fills the kitchen with it's wonderful sent.

The all ready dried bunch has been hanging for about two weeks and today I picked the tiny leaves from the stems and put them into one of the little plastic storage containers that line my herb shelf in the pantry. Growing my own Oregano is so much better than buying a jar of dried from the store. The flavor is so much more intense and flavorful. I have two very large plants that have been outside now for about three years and each year they seem to get bigger.

My Rosemary bushes are also thriving. Compared to other plants in my neighborhood mine are so small. Could be because I'm always clipping them to use in cooking. My neighbors just grow them for hedges and never use the herb.
A great way to use the large stems.. when you BBQ put your veggies on the stems instead of using regular skewers. You will not believe how the rosemary flavor gets into the food as it cooks. Yes, if you eat meat use the stems the same way.
Since my neighbors cut down a rather large Hickory tree this past week I saw the sun in my kitchen window for the first time since living in this house... I was so excited and clipped rosemary and put into water to root. It will take a few weeks but I have all the time in the world. Will be nice to have a few new plants.

As you can see my kitchen widow is a busy place. Always full of my favorite things. Basel rooting is another constant thing going on there.

I noticed this past month my garden bench has seen better times. With all the weather it's endured over the past 8 years it's starting to rot really bad. The bench is way down by the creek and no one but the critters sit on it so I'm not afraid anyone will be hurt. It's nice to look at from the back deck. Decorative you might say.

But I don't want to loose it or toss it in the trash (I got it out of someones trash years ago) No surprise it's rotting, each rainy season the creek rises and the water comes up to the seat on this bench and it sits in the water for a few days. But it always dries out and has served me well. The ground below is just a modge podge of weeds, ferns and clover and always green and pretty.

Today I used some scrap wood and liquid nails and glued the boards to the legs with hopes of keeping it standing. But first I used some craft paint and tried to match the color. Might give this wonderful bench at least one more summer season to delight my garden? I might just use some left over white spray paint and change the look? It's not a very professional job but then no one looks at it way down there except me.

Today was a beautiful sunny day and a great day to piddle around the house and yard. You know those days where you have no real plans and just see and do all the things you have not had time to get done.
Tomorrow is Saturday, that means yard sales. I'm on the look out for some flower pots to put some really nice flowering bulbs my niece sent me for my birthday. They will look good on the deck.

Wish me luck.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I'm linking this post to
Sunny Simple Sunday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Fertilizer Friday

A little time out to be thankful for another birthday.....

2013-04-18T19:31:00.000-04:00

There is nothing better than Fedex coming to my door with 'Two Dozen Tulips"

Ten years ago I was told I had (maybe) one year, to live.

My heart stopped working on the left side.

So for that year I walked around afraid of the next day... but I found a great Cardiologist that helped me by implanting in my chest a Pacemaker/ defibulator that gives me little zaps when needed. Every few years my doctor gives me the newest model and my heart is still beating because of all the new technology. I also have a heart monitor in my home that reads my pacer and sends information right to my dr's office and they call within minutes if they see something odd.

Today my girl, Cyndi sent me a beautiful bouquet of

"Tulips"

because she knows they are my favorite flower and there is noting more I want or need in this life than the love of my family and friends, and of course

"Tulips"

I just love the spring because it brings new life and "Tulips" not to mention another year for me to be here with my family and all the wonderful friends I have both in life and here in blogland.

With all the horrors going on this past week here in America I am trying so hard to deal with it all and keep telling myself that life is good and 95% of humans are also good.

I am so grateful to be here and enjoying life.

"I love you all"

Happy 17th Birthday to my Turkish Van, "Rikki"...

2013-04-16T19:13:00.000-04:00

17 years ago I took my daughter to the pound in Ft Lauderdale to pick out her birthday gift. This little "Turkish Van" was the first kitty to walk forward in a crowded cage. She was sickly with ear mites and so timid and shy. "Rikki Ticki Tavi"was the name the pound gave her so we kept it. She looks like a "Rikki" we all said.

Over the 17 years I've made so many moves to different cities and Rikki made the moves with us. Then when my daughter finished high school, married and moved away with her CG husband Rikki went to live with my other daughter. Well the other daughters job took her on the road so Rikki came to live with me and has been here for the past 8 years.

My sweet little girl Rikki has brought so much joy to our family and I wanted to wish her a very

"Happy Birthday"

There will never be another pet like you!

I'm linking this V post to Jenny's Alphabet Thursday

Once again America has been touched with pain and suffering......

2013-04-15T20:16:00.000-04:00

The Hummers and the Dinos were out on this beautiful day....

2013-04-13T10:47:00.000-04:00

Ok my photos are not great, it was dark on the deck this morning. The sun not quite out and this crazy woman sat in the chair just waiting! Then it happened, the Humming Bird came for the goodies.

I saw him/her yesterday and of course I did not have the camera so today I waited (for what seemed like a long time). Then he came!

As exciting as it may not be to all of you, it was to me!

I know the photos are blurry but it's the best editing I could do. I'll be out there later this afternoon when he comes back and this time I'll be ready!

While I was out there I noticed the Dinos were making babies.

Yep, it's spring around my house.

I needed a mouse pad, so I made one from fabric and the trees come tumbling down.

2013-04-10T16:26:00.001-04:00

It may not seem to be an important item but I've been looking for a mouse pad and they all are so big and square. I only have a small space on my little desk for my mouse. I know, I have a lap top but the mouse makes it so much easier to get from one site to another.

Since I've been using my mouse on the desk top and the paint is now starting to show little scratches and scrapes not to mention I may be killing the mouse?

So I went to my fabric scrap box and simply cut out two pieces along with some very thin batting. Stitched them together and done! As you can see I made it reversible with two different flower patterns.

It works great!

The best part it's small and fits my space.

While I was sewing this morning the Chain Saws began.

Today has been a beautiful sunny day and it seems all the neighbors came out to watch the trees coming down in my neighbors back yard. The chain saws (three at once) have been bzzzing since 7am yesterday morning and there is no getting away from the noise, no window or door closed helps.

We who live on "Alligator Creek" have very old Hickory trees. They must be 5 stories tall and most are dead or dying. Some have fallen over the years and by some stroke of luck the high winds each season brings them down across the creek and not on someones house. The three being removed this past two days are huge and so dead and will surly fall on our houses if a 50 mph wind comes in from the north. That is how the tropical storms and hurricanes blow.

My neighbors admiring the mess they have to clean up. Their poor yard has been destroyed with all that fell from these monster trees.

What you are seeing is only from one of these trees.

These stumps must weight around 400 lbs each and are huge!

My two trees are the next to go.

Look how tall they are and one is leaning on my deck and soon will start cracking it. My bedroom is in the target if they fall.

Only one problem... I just finished planting all my spring and summer flowers so the Mr and I decided to wait till the fall to take ours down!

Although having such trees covering our deck and house helps with the hot summer sun the entire deck is totally covered in shade due to the house in a N-S direction. I need E-W to get sun there. I'm hoping once the trees are taken down I'll get more sun for my potted herbs? The a/c will take care of the heat. Now a new thought is in our minds.. enclosing our deck and making a nice sun room. Right now with the trees there, it can not be done due to how they lean over.

That remains to be seen?

Gota go, the chain saw guys are back from lunch and it's about to get LOUD!

I'm linking this post to

Show and Tell Saturday

The Blue Waters of Tampa Bay

2013-04-05T17:40:00.002-04:00

Photo courtesy Tom Pauser

"Now this is blue"

"The Great White Egret" sitting on the rail of "The Pier" looking into the Tampa Bay

St. Petersburg, Florida

My son came for a surprise visit on this day and we took a drive down to St. Pete and walked out on"The Pier"
Surprisingly enough this Pier is slated to be demolished in 2014. Yes a new one will go in it's place but this one is a landmark and will be missed. There are shops and a food court along with an aquarium on the top floor. A wonderful spot to sit and enjoy the weather.

We found the Egret just sitting there posing by the blue waters.

Beautiful!

I'm linking up to

Anything Blue Friday
Outdoor Wednesday

Day three of the back yard transformation and my grandson's wrapped tight to his mom.

2013-04-02T20:11:00.000-04:00

My girl sent me a photo today of her new baby, just 3 weeks old. She is using the baby wrap I made for her and she loves it. Gina is the kind of mom that holds her new born all day long. She is a busy mom and homeschools her kids. As most of you know this is baby boy #4 for her and she did this with all her children. I love how she wraps her baby's and keeps them close to her body for the first two months. She lets them tell her when they want to venture out.
I remember the day about 3 months ago when Gina sent me a photo of a wrap she found on the net. "Mom, they want $80.00 for it"... "Will you make me one"? Sure I said and after looking at the photo I bought 6 yards of a light jersey fabric and made her two. (I paid all of $24.00 for it) I remember when I finished making it I thought the length was much too long but after wrapping it on myself it was perfect. It's made to wrap a small baby in so many different ways. It's very light and airy. She loves it and that is all that matters to me.

Let me share a little trick.

When I first wake up in the morning I usually turn on my music while I read my e's and get the coffee made. My iPod is in my phone where I have all my music stored. I put the iPhone in a glass... amazing how it amplifies the music. It's like having a great speaker attached. I also do this when using my phone on speaker which I do while cooking or other household chores. It makes the callers voice so much clearer.

Amazing!

Then after breakfast on to day three of my back yard transformation.
I have been working on the perimeter and wanted to get as much done as I could today. Our weather is going to change after 5 days of beautiful sunshine and 70 degree temps. They say "big storms coming for the next two days".... My thoughts on this, Good I need to stay indoors and clean my house before next week. I'm going in the hospital for a bit of female repair work. It's just something I've been putting off but needs doing. I'll be laid up about a week after an over night stay. So I got busy on the yard. I moved the bromeliads from down by the creek nearer the deck. They don't need any work at all and will fill in an awkward spot that gets no water or sun. I love it when they bloom.

Then I put in Azalea bushes along the deck. I've been wanting to do this for several years now. I think I missed the blooming season for these new bushes but next spring it should look wonderful. The mulch is sitting in bags just waiting for me to finish putting it down. Of the 25 bags I bought this week I have 4 left, hope it's going to be enough?

Depending on when the rain begins I might get a few more hours in the yard tomorrow? Then all I need to do is add a few more flowering plants in a few weeks, and it's finished for the year.

Yes!

I'll be joining

Wow Us Wednesday
Down Home Blog Hop
We did it Wednesday
Share your Cup
Alphabet Thursday
Under $100.00 link party
Be Inspired
Thrifty Things Friday
Tickled Pink
Power of Pinterest Link Party
What To Do Weekends
Sunny Simple Sundays

It's April and that means it's really Spring.....

2013-03-31T19:26:00.002-04:00

I'm so happy to welcome "April". That means the end of winter and warmer weather is upon us once again. I'm really not looking forward to the above 90 days but you will all have to agree, this has been one cold winter.

You think I would have learned something from last week when I damaged my back after lifting 20 bags of Red Mulch from the car to the back yard. I got them from the HD (they were on sale for $1.00, how could I not?) Well this morning I saw Lowe's flyer and they had them on sale for .99c and off I went to get more..
My back had 4 days rest and feels great and I didn't do any heavy lifting or bending today, because the mulch stayed in my car till the Mr. got home.

The mulch was such a bargain how could I not get more!

I did spread 5 bags in one of the planting beds.

That was enough for today.

While I was out sitting on the deck enjoying a good cup of coffee, in this wonderful weather, I noticed how the topiary plant was starting to take over the Hickory tree. This is a teeny leaf variety of the Buxus microphylla japonica family – Japanese Boxwood plant. I planted two 6" plants at the base of this large tree and they have really started to take off. My plan was to totally encase the tree and my deck staircase.

It's doing it's job but sure takes a long time. I read where the topiaries at Disney, you know all the cute animals they have, well they can take up to 10 years to totally cover the frames before they are put on display in their gardens.

Mine is now going on 6 years.

The Hickory tree is about 3 stories tall and the vine has really climbed up there. Since I have no control it's just doing what it wants. It's just not wrapping around the large trunk as planned, but it sure looks good.

The sun has helped sprout my herb seeds. I use a lot in cooking and try to maintain them all winter. I normally put them outside by day but this past week I have been letting them stay outside all night.

Wishing everyone clear skies and sunny days with warm temps because we deserve it!

"Happy April"

I'm linking up to
Metamorphosis Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Outdoor Wednesday

My early Easter Pie, "Lemon Merangue" to die for.... I'm eating it today!

2013-03-29T06:59:00.002-04:00

I'm sure everyone gets a craving and the other day, mine was "Lemon Merangue Pie"

The need never went away so this morning about 6am I went to the kitchen, made my coffee and started pulling out all the ingredients to make myself one.

First I want to tell you about my glass cutting board. I love this thing! It was something I picked up at a yard sale about 6 years ago for all of $1.00. It's been a counter saver and the perfect spot to roll out pie crust. A few months ago I thought of getting another one in the stores and could not believe the price for one this size.. it was $39.00. So now I'm on the look out at all yard sales I go to.. so far nothing.

1 stick of sweet butter (cold) and 1 1/2 c of flower, 1/4 tsp salt, three tablespoons icy water into the mixer, on low and pie crust emerges. Transfer the sticky pie crust mixture to my glass cutting board that has been dusted with flour and roll out, put in pie pan then prick with a fork and bake in a hot oven (425') for about 12 minutes. Done!
You will see I made two small tart crusts, because I know I made much too much of the lemon mixture. My neighbor next door will love these little guys.

Ok, I cheated a bit. Used Jello-Lemon flavored pudding mix, but I did add 2 tsp fresh lemon juice to give the pudding a bit more tartness.

What do you want? It's 6am!

The Jello mix called for 1 c of sugar per box, I used two boxes, but I only added 1/2 cup per. I could taste the tartness...

Time to mix the egg whites into smooth Merangue.

4 egg whites 1/4 c sugar and turn it on high and walk away for about 5 minutes.

"Tick Tock... Tick Tock"

I have a really bad problem with burning food.

Really!

Anything that needs high heat and only minutes to brown usually ends up burnt so I sat in front of the oven door (literally sat on the floor) while the merangue browned. I timed it, 4 minutes at 425'f. I know what would have happened if I walked away. Just ask my family what happens when I try to make toast or garlic bread.

Perfect!

Look at the luschiousness of this pie.
I took a piece to two of my neighbors. They are up in the years and just love it when I surprise them with something special.

Besides, if I give most of it away
"I won't eat it it all"

I did say in my header, "This is my Easter Pie" so I guess that means I can't make another for that special day. But then I'm sure after the Mr. gets his hands on it today I may need to.... maybe?

"Happy Easter"

I'm linking up to
Friday Food Frenzy
Show off your Stuff

It's Spring 2013 (In Florida) ... or is it?

2013-03-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

It's Spring!

That's what everyone is telling me and all I read and see on the news is the north is still suffering the wrath of winter.

Snow?

What snow?

We in South Florida are having chilly weather but the sun is glorious. The past two days I've been cleaning and doing damage control out in the yard. This year our winter was odd indeed... It's been colder than normal and most of my plantings have suffered.
Yesterday our Home Depot had a great sale on "Red Bark Mulch" and I bought 20 bags.. they were $1.00 a bag.

Then the unthinkable happened.

I threw out my back, yep, I really hurt myself and had to give up when I had so much more to do.

Today was spent up in my room, laying down filled with muscle relaxers trying to baby my poor aching back. My hands were busy as usual finishing up a new crochet table cloth I've been working on for several weeks.

I looked out from my bedroom balcony into the beautiful sunshine and wanted to cry because I could not finish, but I feel so good about how much I did get done. The weeds took over this past winter and I made some large piles for the lawn guys to take on Thursday. (Our regular day for them to spruce up the lawn. I love those guys)

As much as I love my yard, it's so much work to keep it up.

One good thing about being stuck indoors today I was able to have a good gab with my sister in Saudi on Face Time. Then a two hour phone chat with the new mommy, my daughter. Her baby is 2 weeks today and had his check up with the Dr. He and his brothers are all doing great.

Well, it's 5 in the afternoon and 55' out. Freeze warning tonight they say, wonder if I need to get out and put some sheets on my new plantings? No, I think I'll take my chances and let mother nature take over.

"Happy Spring"

I'm linking up to

Outdoor Wednesday
Alphabet Thursday
Be Inspired
Fertilizer Friday