What September taught me...

...I always enjoy taking a look back at the month, seeing where I have gone and where I am going on this life journey.

we picked apples today

September is teaching me patience;
I think, more than any other month, September is the one where you can see the seasons change.  It's subtle, watching as the sun moves slowly away from us and the afternoons and evenings getting shorter.  Seeing the flowers slowly loose their vigor and silently retreat into the earth to await the awakening season of Spring.  The leaves turning from their lovely greens to stunning golds and reds only to drop to the ground, their job done for the year.  It, to me, is the most magical of seasons.

lots and lots of apples

September has taught me that I can survive a summer without sunshine!  I have learned that I can make and keep even the smallest of promises.  It has taught me that balance is highly over-rated (an upcoming post), and that being in the middle is as confusing now as it was when I was growing up the middle child (another upcoming post).



gravenstein and jonagold

September has taught me to "shop the house," to be more frugal now than at any other time in my life.  It has taught me that waiting for my first grand-baby-girl is a joy beyond anything I have ever imagined.


and honey crisp

Most of all September has taught me Gratitude.  I strive every day to live a life of Grace and Gratitude, to be kind and forgiving with a heart full of Mercy.  This month has been full of extreme emotion with highs and lows of great worry mixed with overflowing joy.  And through it all I have turned to you, my bloggy friends, and you held me up.  You've given me strength and hope that I can beat this cancer, I know whatever lies ahead that you will be there to support me...thank you!

AND I learned that I could finish the 30 day challenge and still love blogging!  Phewwww...see y'all in a few.  

What did September teach you?

White Wednesday...

...a few weeks ago, on a lazy-rainy Sunday afternoon, my hubs and I grabbed a coffee and went over to the local Antique Mall.  I love browsing all the different stalls and seem to always find something unusual to bring home with me.  And indeed I did!

I was in a section close to the back door when I spied a box with at least a dozen old windows in it.  Now, I just love me some old windows and have two stained glass Windows from the 30's.  These were not that old but all were in pretty good shape with no broken glass.

In my little head I could envision where I wanted to put one of these babies...I could picture it in the room and how the light would reflect...the wonderful chippy goodness of the frame...ahhh, yes.

This one came home with me with the intent of being painted white and distressed but as I cleaned it up, with a wire brush, I decided I just loved the way it looked.  And the placement?  It went into a totally different room, the kitchen, between the end of the counters and the door that leads outside.  Looking forward to another rainy Sunday afternoon!



Happy White Wednesday and thank you to Kathleen for hosting this fun party.

Spring cleaning...

...there are three days left of the 30 day challenge and today we are digging deep, we are getting down to the nitty-gritty, the real dirt.

Confession:  I didn't do any Spring cleaning this year.  That's not to say that my home isn't tidy, or that you would get sick if you dropped by, but, I simply didn't have the energy to do any "deep" cleaning.  This only serves to make the Fall clean-up even harder and quite frankly I am not up to that either.

Enter my magical, crazy, inventive, inspired, brilliant mind.  After complaining about not wanting to do the big stuff, ie; carpet cleaning, closets, cupboards, etc., the hubs volunteered offered to help me out...one room at a time.  So we worked out a system...

Hubs if off work on Mondays so we designated that to be our work day together. I made a list of every room in the house, including the garage and the porch and decks.  Then placed them ever so gently, ha, I threw them into a bowl and said, "go ahead, I dare ya..." while secretly saying to myself, "please don't pick the garage, please don't pick the garage, please.don't.pick.the.garage."  He picked the bathrooms.  ack!

For a reasonably small house we have three bathrooms.  I don't know why. 

So, we spent the day cleaning bathrooms.  Stripping floors, scrubbing tubs and showers, sinks, counters, tiles, grout, fans, toilets, shelves and under the sink.  Times three!

I am so relieved that we got a great start but a little apprehensive about what will be pulled out of the bowl for next Monday...ahhhh, Monday, Monday.  

How was your Monday?

Getting my Fall on...

...all photos are out of order, thankyouverymuchblogger. 

My hubs was out in the yard today and nice guy that he is, he harvested all the hydrangea for me.  I lost two of my bushes last winter so I only have two left...the blues were gorgeous.

The purple/pink ones were not as vibrant as in years past and with the exception of one they already look a little worse for wear.

somewhere in there is a white blossom that was all alone on a plant that had only one stem on it.  I think I like the white ones best but I have never had luck drying them.    For me the blues dry the best but we shall see what happens this crazy year.

I have them in vases with about an inch of water in the bottom, I just let the water evaporate and after that is done the plants are well on their way to drying on their own.

Have you started your Fall decorating yet? or

are you a procrastinator like me!

Happy Monday

 

isn't the reflection of the light in the den extra special??!   gah.

Harvest moon...



I was able to add the photo after I posted.
this was taken in North Carolina
during the harvest moon.


...last Wednesday was quite the party in the skies with the "Super Harvest Moon," and the "Autumnal Equinox" taking place at the same time.  For those of us in the Pacific Northwest we have only to read about it as we have not seen the skies (clearly) in several days.  I found this article from the Seattle Times interesting and wanted to share.  I wanted to share a photo too but alas blogger has other ideas.

"Now is our season on the verge, a time of endings and beginnings: Seeds studding the blossom ends of spent flowers are setting wing on autumn winds for a new year's growth. Female salmon in their last days of life are returning, their bellies rounded with eggs that will bring their home waters to life next spring.
And deep in the cool glades of the lowland forests, amphibians are on the move.
The crrrrrreck of chorus frogs can be heard in the forests, as they return upland for the winter. Frogs, toads and salamanders are on their fall migration, inching to their winter hiding spots. They'll snug under the sheltering arms of sword ferns and heaps of big leaf maple leaves, just now kiting to ground, shining as they sail through the slanting, golden light of fall.

But the showstopper all this week — clouds willing — will be the moon. Already bright enough this week to wake light sleepers, it's just been revving up for the perfectly full harvest moon.

Its majestic rise and luminous glow were once counted on by farmers to get in their crops, before headlights on megatractors changed all that. Hence the name harvest moon, also called the hunter's moon by some.

While it will be perfectly full only on Wednesday, the moon should still be big and bright for several days. It also might take on a coppery hue at the horizon, as its light passes through more atmosphere, low in the sky, with all its dust and other particulates. That scatters the moon's light, filtering out the blues in its spectrum, and leaving the red."


I'll just have to take their word for it!! 
MIL is home now and seems to be back to normal...which means she is not taking it easy or slowing down at.all.
Enjoy your weekend y'all.

Angel Flight...

...if you've got seven minutes watch this, you will never be the same.  If you don't have seven minutes watch this anyway, you really have no excuse.  Watch it, then get on your knees and say "Thank you."

pass it on:

my backyard, August

 ...I couldn't think of anything witty for a post title tonight and blogger isn't letting me into my photo album, thus, this was still on the camera.  Lucky me, lucky you.  I don't like to post without a photo...it's just the way I roll.

I am humbled at the concern and generosity that you have shown me today.  Your thoughts and prayers, your comments and e-mails, your well- wishes and support have proven to me that I am in the right place.  Physically and Spiritually.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You have given from your hearts and I have read each and every e-mail and comment.  I have much information to process and many questions to ask my doctor.  It sounds like there are some long-term issues to be concerned about but overall I think that I will be o.k.  I am terrified of having surgery and at this point that thought is what is holding me down.  Anesthesia and I are not BFF's!

If not for you I'm sure that the next few days, until the lymph node resection, would be too stressful for me.  I not only have to take care of my heart but I have to take care of my "heart."  The one that beats in my chest...as most of you know, I had a heart attack a few years ago and stress is my biggest enemy.  I must do all I can to keep it at bay. 

That brings me to my MIL.  She is doing much better today.  Had carotid ultrasounds and they were both clear.  She is adjusting to a new dose of coumadin and blood pressure meds, which can be difficult to tolerate at the onset.  She seemed to be in good spirits when the hubs was there and they were able to take a little walk down the hall unassisted.  She plans on going home tomorrow but we are more hopeful for Saturday.  Thank you for adding her to your thoughts and prayers.

If not for you, my friends, I would be lost, lonely and afraid.   Thank you again from the bottom of my heart~~Blessings to you and yours~~

Trail of Tears...

I hate to be a complainer, O.K., I don't like it.  I don't like the way it feels, the way it sounds nor the level of stress it causes me.  But there are times when life hands you so damn many lemons but forgets to throw in the sugar and water...so it sucks. 

 It also makes for a very depressing blog so even though I could write the blog of misery I choose not to.  I choose life.  But this week life has chosen our family.

A couple of weeks ago I asked you all to keep me in your thoughts and send up some good wishes on a wing and a prayer for me as I was having some tests done.  Afterwards, I couldn't say much about what was happening since my children were out of town and unavailable for a special talk.  With that done and everyone on the same page I will let my bloggy friends know that I have been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, papillary to be exact with the high probability of lymphoma.  I will be having a lymph node resection on Oct. 8 and we will go forward with treatment at that time.  I am not yet sure of what treatment will involve, it depends on that little lymph node, but, this type of cancer is very treatable and highly survivable.  In fact, I am sure several of you have gone through this and will be a great help to me.

That aside, last night my mother-in-law had a stroke.  They called it a TIA all day but upgraded it to a stroke tonight.  She is resting well, and in fact was the first one to tell me that she had gone to the hospital.  *she has her cell phone in the room with her*  She does have some short term memory loss (she kept asking me the same question over and over) and some numbness in her tongue which causes her to slur her words.  We have been assured by the doctor that these things will improve over the next few days as they get her new meds adjusted.

As much as I love and care for my in-laws, the drama that is that family is very difficult for me to handle.  I am trying to step back and stay out of the way of the barbs and insults that continue even now.  I can't be part of something so stupid when someone is sick and especially when it puts my own health in danger.  I have to protect my heart...I have to.  If that comes across as harsh then I do apologize...it is what I have to do.   Is it Friday yet??

White Wednesday...

...and the lonely little white gourd.

Happy White Wednesday.  Linking with Kathleen at Faded Charm, check out her site for even more whites.

Autumnal Equinox...

...quite frankly, I don't have the energy to put forth an intelligent or intelligible post tonight, so I will wish you~~ Happy Fall~~go see if you can balance an egg and meet me back here tomorrow.  take care peeps!

Thank Heaven for...

...I am sure that you remember when a few months ago I was screaming from the rooftops announced that I was going to be a Grandma, for the first time, next February.  Well, last Monday my son, daughter-in-law, and baby-to-be had their 22 week ultrasound.  Can you guess what 'we' are expecting???

Maurice Chevalier  from "Gigi"

Thank heaven for little girls
for little girls get bigger every day!

Thank heaven for little girls
they grow up in the most delightful way!

Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
one day will flash and send you crashin' thru the celin'


Thank heaven for little girls.

thank heaven for them all
no matter where no matter who,
for without them what would
little boys do?

Thank heaven....thank heaven!


The last picture is also a clue to her name.  Have a Blessed and Happy Monday friends.

Sunday serenity...

A Thoughtful Resolution...

Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled by them.

~Henry Ward Beecher

~may your Sunday be filled with the sweetness of cheering words, may you be thrilled, Blessings to you all.

I'm still standing...

...it's been 18+ days of the 30 day challenge and I must admit, this is more difficult than I thought it would be.  My life is just not that exciting to post something every.single.day.  With that said...I am digging deep today, in fact, it's just my Saturday stream of thought.  (go home now if you know what's good for you!)

I had a doctor appointment today, scheduled to be the first one after lunch, she was already running 1 hour late.  I love her, so do all of her patients, but how the heck can you already be an hour behind first thing??  Suffice to say I spent about 2 1/2 hours for a routine follow-up.  Treated myself to a "1 pump mocha, 120 degrees, no whip" coffee afterwards and everything was all better.  Stopped at the junk vintage wares store and wandered around for an hour while the hubs took a nap in the car...spent the rest of the day contemplating something that I need to discuss with the children..oy.  My blood sugar is a little low right now, 77, so snack time is nearing.  Who knew about "vision boards?"  I just saw an article about them on another blog and had no idea.  Sounds like a fun idea but then again...if you have been reading this blog for awhile you may or may not have noticed that 95% of my post titles have something in common.  Can you figure out what it is??

Enjoy your Saturday, it will be a lazy, rainy, college-football one around here...go Huskies!

Things I've learned...part deux...

...recently, on my day of solitude, as I was pondering my life, I realized that I have learned many, many things along the way.  I also realized I would be remiss to keep this information to myself,  thus you benefit!


*Be specific.  very specific.  use childlike words whenever possible.  For example:  if your husband is off work for the week and calls you in the early afternoon wondering if there is anything at home that needs to be taken care of...be specific...when you say you haven't taken anything out for dinner that night, and could he please see what's in the freezer and take something out (for said dinner).  If you have not been specific then do not be surprised if when you get home at 5pm there is a twelve pound turkey defrosting on the kitchen counter. 

Happy Friday y'all.

I. AM. PROCRASTINATION...



desk in my craft room



White and Shadows...

...I had an entirely different White Wednesday post for you today but when I went to upload the camera I realized that all the photos sucked were a little fuzzy.  So, I quick ran around the house and found a couple of things, by then it was late afternoon and the shadows were playing with me.  I found these white charmers a few weeks ago while thrifting and am anxiously waiting to use them.  I know Fall decorating will provide me with lots of opportunities to do so...enjoy!

Linking with Kathleen over at Faded Charm, go check it out for more Wednesday Whites.  Have a wonderful Wednesday y'all.

Kickin' and Screamin'...

...Fall has been pushing and shoving gently coming our way the last few days.  I must admit, I am not ready, although, I love Fall, the colors, the crisp-cool air, the falling leaves, apples, college-football, candles, food-holidays, and wreaths, I still long for the summer that never was. The gardens that did not produce wonderful sweetness and beautiful flowers despite my best efforts.  I was still holding out hope for Indian Summer.

these candles are Citronella, out on my new deck, and were never intended to be "floating candles."  That is until last weekend when we had well over an inch of rain Saturday night.  *sigh*  I spent some time out there yesterday and it is painfully obvious that I need to start in on the Fall clean-up.

this little table did not fare so well with the recent rain but it sure makes an interesting photo, don't you think?  I wonder how many layers are on there and how they could have possibly threaded them all together.

I know that most of you have been having the summer from hades but are you really ready for Fall or just cooler temps?

Ahhhh...Fall...

Ahhhh--chooo!   May your seasonal allergies take a much needed break this week.  *sniff-sniff*

The Sounds of Silence...

Quiche...

...do you remember, in the late '80's, when quiche became popular but no one knew how to pronounce it?  Every one kept calling it a quickie?!  Well, this is going to be a quiche quickie post tonight.

Thank you all for your good thoughts, finger crossing, wing and a prayer. It helped me through a very trying and confusing day.  I hate to be so cryptic but all that I can really say is that after having several tests, I have been given some good news and some not so good news.  I need a little time to digest and discuss all of this with my family before I can post about it.  Thank you for hanging in there with me, I am truly grateful.   xo


"when you have no choice,
mobilize the spirit of courage."
Jewish proverb

Maya's Wisdom...

"Pretty women wonder

where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit

a fashion model's size.

But when I start to tell them,

they think I'm telling lies...

I say: it's in the reach

of my arms

the span of my hips

the stride of my step

the curl of my lips,

I am woman.

Phenomenally phenomenal woman.

that's me."

Maya Angelou

I come here tonight with a special request to all my friends in blogland.

I have some medical tests scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, and if you could/would keep a good thought for me I would really appreciate it.   Fingers crossed, sign of the Cross, a wing and a prayer.

  that's me.  xo

Sick day Luuuucy...

...I was born and raised in a strict Catholic family. We went to catechism on Wednesday, ate fish on Friday, and went to Mass on Sunday. We also went to the social after Mass and ate donuts and drank fruit punch. We woke every morning to our mother singing "rise and shine," and we wanted to scream. We shopped twice a year for clothes and shoes and wore saddle shoes to school. We ate cottage cheese and brown sugar sandwiches and loved it. We played card games and board games and always kept track of who had won last. We bowled. We went on vacation every year and didn't have a clue how lucky we were. I took baton lessons. We went out for Hamburgers once a month on payday. We did chores every Saturday morning. We spent hours at the library. We lined up according to height every Christmas morning and the shortest person always got to go first. The shortest person was always the youngest person...we were seventeen years apart. I never went first. We played "Queen for the Day," and got new pajamas every birthday. We prayed at every meal, at bedtime, and in every natural disaster. We prayed and cried when the President was shot. We rode our bicycles until dark only stopping to dodge tumble weeds. We ran around the yard with sparklers when there were days of celebrations. We ate three squares a day and had desert on Sunday. We watched "Laugh In" and the "Friday Night Fights." We drank Tab. We lined up on Saturday mornings to have our hair washed in the big sink. We had a dog named Queenie. And on sick days from school we made a fort in the living room, ate dry toast and drank hot tea, and watched "I Love Lucy".......



May you find the Blessing of ordinary miracles today...xo

Bump!

...we spent the afternoon with our son and daughter-in-law today.  Busy, busy, busy moving into their first house.  I remember way back at the beginning of time when we moved into our first house.  It was such a sweet, special time in our marriage.  I wish them many, many years of happiness and health in their new home.   Oh, and that "bump" there...ya, there, that's my grand baby cookin'.

Happy Tuesday and may you find a sweet lost memory to give you a smile today.  xo

The Secret Garden...

...I remember giving this book to my daughter when she was a little one and the hours we spent reading it together, spellbound, is one of my favorite memories.

I have always dreamed of having my own secret garden, I suppose we all have,  or at lease a proper English garden would do.  I don't believe it to be an unreasonable dream especially since our weather is much like that of Merry ol' England!

Fourteen, a few years ago, after moving into this house I attempted to keep the dream alive.  The north side of the house is quite shady and damp due to lack of light, the grass doesn't grow, and for the life of me I have been unable to find anything that wants to thrive over there.  It is also the only place in our yard that gets a slight breeze in the summer, when summer shows up. 

About two years ago I asked my dear hubs to help me decide on what to do with this dreary space.  Sitting over there in a lawn chair on a hot day along with the garbage can and air-conditioning unit was not cutting it for me.  I looked through magazines~, tearing out pages upon pages in anticipation of my own special place.  Within a few weeks the hubs had built this amazing deck. 

 It solved all our problems with the damp, boring grass, and elevated our lawn chairs to a more suitable height.  It also became a place to put potted plants...lots of them, and hanging baskets, and all sorts of old, chippy, rusty yard art.

I am hoping that with a little research this winter, that next spring I will be planting some shade loving flowers, annuals and perennials, and maybe I will someday have a special, quiet, secret place to read.

day 6 of the 30 day challenge~ xo~mama pajama

A day in September...

 Henri Joseph Normand

May 2, 1925~September 5, 1999

Norm

daddy

dad

pop

grandpa

shaping up my weekend...

...kitchen.

...no water.

...check.