Where have all the flowers gone...

...long time passing.  Only I'm changing the name to where have all the bloggers gone...long time ago.  This post was inspired by Pogonip and her last post which got me thinking...serious.

In started this blog almost ten years ago.  It was fun, it was new, and I couldn't wait to get home everyday and share my shenanigans.  I even made lists during the day of things to post about, and when I got my first comment I was over the moon.

I never set out to be a professional blogger or a money maker, my purpose was to share my life in the hopes one day my children or grandchildren would want to know "me" and why I am the person I am.  I never expected to have 'followers' nor did I imagine the friendships I would cultivate, even meeting a few of you in real life.

Like everyone I shared pictures wishing I had a better camera and knew how to stylize my surroundings.  Then I upgraded the camera and wished I knew how to use it!  I soldiered on sharing life events and nonsense.  There were many times I put the silly aside and talked about serious issues in my life, cancer...diabetes...cancer again...depression...anxiety...amputation...cancer again...kidney surgery...thyroid surgery...and on and on.  And always you were there for me with kind words, prayers, and concern.  I will forever  be grateful.

The last few years have been light on the  blogging front, not that the nonsense or health issues have changed.  We've added a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.  That in itself is blog fodder for years to come.  Hubby is about to retire and the 'new' old home we bought looks like it will be the forever home at this point.

I admit I was lured away by fast-talking, instant gratification of Facebook.  Never fell into the Instagram or Pinterest hole but there's still time right?  I miss the old days of blogging, so many friends that disappeared and I wonder where and how they are doing.  I miss the interaction, the feeling of chatting with a bunch of friends out for coffee.  I miss me.

I think Facebook is changing and not in a good way.  Too much politics and ads make it less appealing to me now.  I hope I can get back to blogging more often and sharing things with the hope of leaving my mark...after all don't we all want immortality?

Good to hear from you Roxy.  Let's do this...we can make it fun again.  Sharing, caring, and shining...love to you all.  Be well ;j

p.s. I got another new camera for my birthday last year that I haven't a clue...don't even have the strap on right...gah.

thank Heaven for little girls...

...for little girls grow bigger every day.

oh, where to start, where to start.  I have wanted to post for so long now but by the end of the day, which have been very busy of late, all I can think of is sitting down with my feet up watching reruns of the Golden Girls.

We have been working (I mean work!) on readying our home to put on the market.  Gah, where the heck does all this stuff come from????  Granted we have been married 43 years but didn't we ever throw a darn thing out? or recycle? or give it away?  I know we have but the amount of stuff I am finding is making me wonder if things are multiplying as we sleep.

The kids were here last weekend to help us tackle a few jobs we can't handle anymore....thank you, thank you, thank you.  I have a feeling I will be called on for pay back soon!  We have no idea where we are moving to at this point but we need to be in a place that has upkeep included.  Hubby is having back surgery soon and probably won't return to work, and I am completely useless as a yard upkeeper anymore. Plus, two people really don't need 2,000 square feet to clean...it's time to downsize and go have some fun. 

So as I said the kids were here with the grands and we told the little ones we were moving and needed their 'help.'  They packed up their books and some toys and then I found Miss M very busy at my desk.   Later as I walked through the house I saw what it was she was so hard at work with.

and on and on and on it went.  Everything in the house was tagged, even our Roomba had a tag 'robot' on it!.  We all had name tags on in case we forgot who we were.  I think this kindergarten thing is working out well, even though she 'hates' it.  I don't remember being able to write so well back in the day, hell I can't write that well now!

We've been looking at doggie's but so far none of them have spoken to my heart.  I think it will be awhile, at least until we move.  I miss our guy so much that sometimes I swear I hear him coming down the hall or jumping on the bed.  We finally found an answer, the vet thinks he may have had a collapsed windpipe.  It certainly would explain his symptoms the last two days of his life.  Oh, my poor boy....the guilt, the sorrow, the empty.  I know 'it was just a dog' but anyone who has ever given their heart to a pet knows it's more than that.

Well I wish you all a Happy Spring.  I hope you are all well, safe, and warm.  It's cold here and rather dreary but....of course!

it touches us all...

...I had planned to do a this and that Thursday post today, you know all the silly little tid- bits that add up during the week, but somehow I'm having trouble feeling light-hearted lately.  I see all the Christmas decor in the stores and around my neighborhood and feel rather numb to the season.  It feels as though so much darkness has crept into our world...we need our Saviour more than ever before.

I have been working on pocket letters.  It was only a few weeks ago that I first heard about them, joined a 'swap' and now I have bits and bobs, ribbon, lace, paper, do-dads, and trinkets all over the dining room table.  This could end up being fun, but I'm a little nervous that I had to google them and watch a video on the specifics!

I am so very happy that November is over.

Be well my friends, we must keep holding each other up.  See you soon.  ;j

tiny bubbles...

we had a little family get together a few weekends ago.  Nothing like bribing your grand-children over to your place than with a new swimming pool.  Yep, we know how to live it up around here.

Lots of bubbles too!
(the outside photos were taken from the inside through the window screen, I haven't been outside in my back yard all year but I can get close when the windows are open)

Miss M caught off-guard by the picture taking...

here again, mommy snuck up on her and caught her cheer leading, rah-rah.

the new pool. has a slide and a crocodile mouth full of balls, and of course bubbles.

bubbles and more bubbles...

Miss M's mommy caught with the camera, she doesn't mind, I think she may have a bubble in her eye. 

That is about all the excitement around here.  No rain for over three months, everything is crisp and my gardens are hideous.  Maybe it is a good thing I can't get out there and see them.   We had one pepper that we have been babying along for quite awhile and almost ready to pick when it was eaten by some sort of critter.  Left a big bite right out the center.  The gall.    No green grass and most annuals are gone due to watering restrictions.  Very scary fire danger out there.  We have a field behind our back fence and it it just dried out brush just waiting for the right time to take off---fingers crossed.  The whole west coast is sizzling it seems.  Hoping things are well where you are and that now that the dog-days of summer are here you are safe and enjoying the season's end.

...I can pretty much guarantee that this post is going to be all over the place.  From Monday snap, to Tuesday tid-bits, and even Wednesday whine, you are in for a bit of it all.


Monday, this would be the only 'snap' I got on Thanksgiving.  My grandgirl showing off her mad balancing skilz.  That's a dinner roll on her head and as far as I know that was the only thing she ate.

We had a very nice, relaxing evening, hosted by my son this year.  It just included the four grandparents and his family.  Nevertheless we had a great time visiting and catching up with my son's in-laws who just happen to be a couple of the most generous of heart people we know.  Of course Miss M was in grand fashion and entertaining.  This was our first all vegetarian Thanksgiving and was delicious.  While I did miss the smell of the turkey roasting and gravy everything turned out well.   Of course I had to roast a turkey over the weekend just because...

Tuesday and it's tid-bits. How is it possible that December came barging in on us so quickly.  Perhaps the retailers non-stop "Christmas" events since before Halloween have something to do with it.  I am already tired of the seasons movies, commercials, news, that I have my radio set to '80s first wave music and have very little to do with the tele.   

    *about a month ago the hubby was t-boned on his way home from work. He was checked out by paramedics at the scene and sent home, not so much the car.  Although not totalled, which is nice since it was new to us, it has taken them awhile to get it finished.  Picked it up today and as we were turning our rental car in someone rammed us and now it's dented.  Another day another claim, I guess we will be shopping for insurance next year.  Thing with the first one, all the traffic lights were out, there were no witnesses, and  both had the same insurance so no tickets were issued and our deductible was halved.  We don't know who hit us the second time so it's all on us.  Yay, Merry Christmas.

    * I am lacking in the Christmas spirit department and if I was to tell the truth we still have Halloween decorations up on the front porch.  I should probably do something about that ya think?

and now for the whine.  I have been unable to comment on many of your blogs, they get sent back to me as undeliverable.  I have tried the e-mail route to get my comments to you and that also is not working.  In fact there seems to be some problem with yahoo and gmail accounts...they must be arguing...as the one thing I have found in common is that those of you with gmail accounts are the ones I can't leave comments on.  I don't quite know what to do about that as my comments to you are very important to me and I want you to know I was there.  I am going to try a different server 'Comcast" and see if it works.  So if you see that my email has changed and you wonder who the heck it is...it's me.

a different view of the pumpkin patch...

I'm glad they detour the kids around the 'dark' side!

It's quite warm here, near 70, but it's blustery, rainy, dark, and the leaves are falling at a rapid pace.  Time to sweep out the storm drains before we get a flood.  It is officially Fall here.  You know that because you can't go out in the yard without some sort of 'poop' radar due to all the fallen leaves.  It's a real mine field!   Happy, happy y'all.

tid-bits du jour.....

courtesy KIRO

I think that this may possibly be the most beautiful photo of my city that I've ever seen.  And waaaay back there at the foothills of that mountain is where I live.  beautiful, yes, but we are paying a price for these lovely days.  It's been fifteen days with temps over 90 degrees and we are not used to such heat, all the trees and forest are afire, the air is heavy with smog and dirt, and everyone is cranky!  All the gardens and lawns are burnt to a lovely crispiness, veggies shriveled up, water restrictions and such.  I know many of you live like this every summer but it is such an anomaly here that no one is quite sure how to handle it.  There is a heat warning and people of certain ages me or who have health conditions me  are to stay indoors, near a fan and drink water all day.  Complaining, well, not much but it is a little overwhelming.

It sure has been quiet around blogland lately.  Has everyone gone to FB or are they all on vacation?  I know I haven't had much to share.  That doesn't mean I don't have a lot to say mind you, but I'm a part of a group of 'over-sharers' and trying to be more careful!  Oh, how I wish I could post some photos of my grands and tell you their stories but I made a promise...all I can say is they are well and enjoying this wonderful (if you are a kid) weather.  They both love the water so you know what they are doing all day!!

In just a few weeks we will be wrapping up the year of the 60/40.  It's gone too fast of course and we are hoping to get another adventure in the books before then.   But you know, every time we leave the house it's an adventure...take care all and have a safe summer.

trivial tuesday...

...day 12 of my forced sinistral handedness, and it is slow going.  every single thing takes five times longer than it should and we all know that patience is the least of my virtues. after doing some reading on left-handedness (and being the mother of three lefty's) i came across some interesting, funny and frightening facts about them.  of course i am really too lazy to repeat them to you so here is the link.

we had a very quiet Easter over here, just the two of us.   i prefer the 'all  of us' celebrations to the 'two of us' holidays but i know i must share.  i remember hearing something about that in preschool!  the problem with the two of us holidays is that it tends to lead me down the path of melancholy.  so much for the Easter bunny.  how was your holiday?

do you want to talk about the blue hour?   do you already know what it is?  I read about it and haven't had a chance to try it so I'm not sure if it's real or not.  any of you true photography buffs would probably know...  (no cheating wiki fans)


have a great Tuesday ;j




sinistral

I just dropped in...

to see what condition my condition was in.  (who sang that tune?)

it's been awhile, does this thing work, is anyone out there??? or have you all (3) deserted me?  I've been trying to keep up with you all but i must admit it's been tiring.

Yesterday, after ten days in a splint, I had my arm 'set' and  cast.  The doc will check it again in two weeks and make a decision about surgery.   I am not left handed so this has been a real lesson in patience, believe me patience is losing.

Do you have any idea how many things you can drop on the floor in one day, and just how far away that floor is?  With one arm cast and a back brace on it looks like a mine field around here.  I can't even manage to use my 'gopher' since I can't squeeze my fingers together.  BUT I'm not complaining...really(!)...much.   Hubby deserves a crown, so lucky to walk this journey with this man.

stay well friends, you are often in my thoughts  <3 br="">

Tuesday tid-bits...

...I remember when I would do a Tuesday bits post every week, now it's more like
once a year.  So much for consistency.

the photo below was taken by my nephew Andrew
and I shamelessly stole it from his
photography website.   I'll have to thank him next time
he's in town.

it's a pretty one!

 

O.K., so I'm back as promised with all the news that's fit to tell.
I had an appointment with my surgeon today and if all
goes as planned I will be having the last of my reconstruction surgeries
next week.  That is barring any weirdness
like anemia,
family emergency,
or inability to get the prosthetist and the surgeon
in the same surgery suite
at the same time.
You know...all the normal stuff.

(last time I had five units of packed cells transfused so
I should be feeling rather peppy and full of
iron by surgery time.)

as it stands, stands Ha get it?, I will be home in two days
and up and walking with a temporary prosthesis
in about three weeks. 
It is quite possible that I will eek out some summer fun
before Fall is upon us!

I spent the afternoon with my little Miss Punky.
she was really happy today and wanted
to do all sorts of things with grandma.  (usually she is a little afraid
of me in the wheelchair)
we painted the wheelchair ramp
played baseball with the dog
did each others hair
ate all her favourite foods
(well mostly)
and in general we acted
goofy and wacky
and pretty much our ages.
It was and always will be the
BEST
medicine on Earth.


"the rains are over and gone, flowers appear on the Earth,
the season of singing has come."
song of songs

 

Tuesday's tid-bits...

...it's been quite awhile since we stopped for a moment and took a little peek inside my pretty little head to see what is floating around amongst all the noise and clatter.

So here we go, from yellow doors to mama pajama.

I can't believe I painted my front door yellow aka "squash blossom."  Every time the car pulls away from the house I think...who does that?  Anyway, it's going to take a little getting used to.  As for now I feel I need to dress it up with something so it's a good deal that it's wreath season.

While perusing the DIY blogs I continue to see so many crafty ideas that for a moment I forget that I am not a crafter.  I will get it into my head that "I can do that," and order the supplies or ask hubs to take me to the craft store or worse ask him to go there for me.  Then with supplies in hand I will head down to the craft room, put the bag down and immediately forget about it.  A few weeks later the process starts all over again.  The bags of supplies are starting to take over so I have determined to do something about it.  Stay tuned because I'm gonna do a crafty thing.

And yes.  I'm not a crafty person but I have a craft room.

I did not have good news at the foot doctor today.   No steps forward and small steps back.  I can increase my time weight-bearing but only because things can't and won't get better.  Next week I will go in and have a cast made so that he can figure out some sort of permanent 'shoe' for me to wear during the day and then use the moon boot at night.    I am considering having a pity party for one, can't bring the house down you know.

Despite all my best efforts Mama pajama has been knocking at the door hoping to come in and stay for an extended visit.  For those of you who don't know about mama pajama consider yourselves lucky.  I wish I didn't know her too.

I will explain all of this later after I figure it all out myself!  Happy Tuesday y'all.

ketchup...

...I can't believe it's been so long since I posted, so not like me but then again, summer came to town and I have been taking full advantage of her wonders.

For all my east coasters: I hope you are all right.  Nothing like a little shake, rattle, and roll to spice things up.  We haven't had a tembler in quite awhile (fingers crossed, sign of the cross) but my memories of the last one are still quite fresh in my mind.  Stay safe y'all.

I haven't been out junkin' in over a month which is something I hope to rectify tomorrow as we head over to the island for the day. I don't think I've shared my last treasure with you and since I had some other treasures out for a photo shoot I thought I would add this one.

I picked up this cute little silver-plate coffee set a few weeks ago for $3.99.  I just love the scrolly details although I don't know anything about them.  There are no markings on the set and it is in excellent condition.  I'm going to see what I can find about it before I decide if it goes in the shop or not. and yes you can see the photographer in the reflection.

Have a great Wednesday peeps.

Not a gardener...

..am I.  I don't even play one on the tele.  Those green thumbs and grass stained knees have never thrilled me as it does many others.  I don't mind gardening but it often feels too much like yard work than something lovely and soothing.  I might enjoy it better if I was the least bit successful at it...well, maybe.

Here's my recent dilemma. 

These are growing all over the place.  Never planted them, don't know what they are but at the moment they are the only blooming thing in the yard!  Some of them have even planted themselves in empty hose containers and old bins. (not that I have any of that stuff hanging around my yard.)

and so, my bloggy garden guru friends, can you tell me what this is?  And do I have to spend the day tomorrow pulling them out??

Please don't tell me that it some noxious weed that will cause all kinds of mayhem if it isn't removed!  Thanks ya'll.

Tuesdays tids...

...I don't think I've done a Tuesday tid-bits at all this year.  Not to worry though, there is still plenty of crap this and that and the other thing to get me through.

*for the majority of the country Memorial day is the unofficial start of summer.  For western Washington the unofficial start of summer is July 4th.  I am still wondering when we will see the start of spring, official or otherwise.

*I still have not planted a vegetable garden, and with our shortened growing season I am wondering if I should even bother.  It is all weeded and tilled so I guess I should plant something there before the weeds make their come-back.

*I have a serious case of dry eye which is really cutting into my computer time.  It makes watching t.v. with your eyes closed a little difficult too.

*I keep falling asleep while I'm watching t.v.

*Last week at Marshall's I bought two sets of "skinny" hangars.  These are slim hangers that are coated with a non-stick surface to keep your clothes from sliding off (the hangar not your person).  They also take up less space in the closet.  I have no excuse to not clean out my closet now.

*I hope my fat clothes will not be too offended.

*here is a picture of my favorite new toy:

more to come...you've been warned!  Happy Tuesday y'all.

walkin' and talkin'...

...I took my camera for a walk today.  I decided, before I go out and buy a new grandma upgraded camera, I should learn how to use all the settings on the old one.

I have a Canon A560 which was a gift for Christmas from my daughter a few years ago.  I love how easy it is to point and shoot but I wanted to be able to get some real sweet close-ups.  It has several settings on it so I tried experimenting with them.

standard:

landscape:

manual:

kids/pets:

and finally Auto.  As you can see I clearly need to find the owners manual and figure out what the heck I'm doing.  Otherwise, all I really accomplished was getting dizzy!   What kind of camera do you have?

I'm my own follower...a.k.a...Tuesdays' tids...

...wow, look at all the ... I used there!  Here is a, it's still Tuesday (somewhere), tids post, and trust me, this is SO random you'll ask me to change my name!

*try as hard as I might, I can not stop the rapid progression of days leading up to Christmas.  I tried, I asked, I begged, but NOOOOpe.


*now that I have accepted the fact, I am throwing myself completely into the festiveness, getting out the decorations, pleading with my husband to go up to the attic, cleaning, purging the overflow...you get the idea.

*I noticed that my follower count is up and immediately got all excited and  on my high-horse.  I decided to look and see who's new...me, I'm new.  How did I become my own follower...twice!  



*what does that say about me?  (something rather tragic I would think)

*I cannot think straight due to my tryptophan induced coma, which I just read has nothing to do with turkey but with the amount of carbs consumed.


*what does that say about me if I'm still sleepy...FIVE days later? (mmmmm, pie)

*the hubs fixed the staple gun last week so now it doesn't work, thus, no $5 chair.  I am going to Michaels tomorrow for a new one.  Does anyone really care about the $5 chair anymore?


*questions, questions, I'm full of questions, but, I'll leave you with this one:  Still on the color kick...what is your favorite color to use in holiday decorating?  I am loving the new aqua/silver combo that I've been seeing everywhere.  (everywhere being Target)

Tuesday's tids...

...this will be short and sweet today.

You know the whole "riding in car with my fav guy" scenario?  Well, it didn't happen...so much for making plans.

I did ride in the car with my fav guy, coffee in hand, no camera...but it was only to the grocery store.

The 'Frankentoe' is healing well although the hubs is completly appalled by it.  Don't look...geez.

I love looking at hands, I think they tell a lot about a person.  My mother had 'working' hands.  They were big for a woman and had obviously seen hard work in her day.  My daughter has beautiful hands.  Very feminine with slender fingers made for jewelry, and strong nails that don't chip or peel.  I just looked down at my hands and thought...'where did I get these old woman hands from?'

I found a little cutie at the thrift store today that I can't wait to share with you, tomorrow!

And finally...does any one really use that 'rack' that comes with your microwave?

inquiring minds want to know,
mama pajama 

Tuesday's tids...

...true confessions edition.

after many, many years, my hubs work schedule has changed, including his days off.  I spent the day thinking it was Sunday...and yes, it did seem a little strange to me when the doctors office called.  I'm so confused.

We are "cat sitting" this week while my daughter and her hubs are out of town.  When I told her that I was hoping to hear the pitter-patter of little feet soon I was not expecting it to be cats.

I'm not a cat person.

While I was looking for something in the hubs closet I found 14, yes fourteen, shirts.  Of mine.  I must have put them in there when I was changing out my closet last fall as they are all long-sleeve.


And three vests.

The first step in getting help is admitting you have a problem...I have a shirt addiction.  Help me.


So, how is your week going so far?


looking for more room in her closet,
mama pajama