~THIS MOTHER'S WORK....~

was a snap...with a little help from my friends....

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day...

 

..Coffee!   Always my beginning...otherwise NOTHING gets done! 

 

..and my wonderful PH... 

because when there is lawn to be mowed and the heat is rising in Southern California to 100 degree's...this man is up and out without coffee, newspaper, nothing....totally focused.  WISH I could do that!

 

I wandered off to Lowes for flowers to fill the little old wagon..

 



...to freshen up the baskets..

 

..new baskets to hang from the front porch..snapped this one while I sipped my coffee and PH drug out the mower..

 

Then I painted our little window basket with a fresh coat of red paint, new liner and new flowers...

 

..and PH mowed..some more..

 

New roses to plant.. (puff puff!) (later!)  There I go again putting off planting! 

 

Two new RED extra lawn chairs for extra seating.

They look pink in the sunlight, but they are actually dark red..inexpensive and pretty.

(Oops!  Mele's little skunk got left behind when Mele's zoomed to the other end of the yard!)

 

Yep..pretty but ran back and bought cushions!  Hawaiian print?  Oh well..

 

...and sweet PH mowed on...

(NOT voting for that friend of PH's.  Friend or no friend!  Would you believe stubborn husband would not take that sign away?!  I hate signs for politicians in our yard!)

 

Things are shaping up...

..and that was only the beginning..all this in preparation for our Mother's Day weekend.

plus..

*painted the bistro table and chairs

*ran and bought four new chair pads.

*rearranged all the patio furniture

*finished weeding the flower bed

*cleaned out the refrigerator 

*washed front room windows and back patio door windows. 

*vacuumed the entire..house and...

never mind..you get the idea.

 

NO photo's of us snoozing the late afternoon away...

Perhaps next year..

*a housekeeper

*a gardner

just for starters!!

 

So..are you inspired?  I mean for the housekeeper and gardner??

:)

 

I am joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for her Inspire Me Tuesday party!

 

************** 

A cloud hung over us this Mother's Day. 

Thank you to all of you for all the love you have sent to my family and I.

Grieving is a process and we are going through it.

Love,

Mona

 

 



~SOME DAYS ARE NOT DOG DAYS..~

It isn't that she doesn't love me....she does. She is my shadow...until I pick up the camera..then it becomes a bit of a challenge!   She just will seldom stand still in the yard long enough for me to get a decent photo of her.

Hey!  Mele!  STOP!  I wanna take a picture of you.....

Good girl..now STAY!  No, STAY!  I MEAN IT!!

 

There is NOTHING there...you're faking it!

OK LADY!! You're in TROUBLE!!

Just another day in the life of Mele...
 (That's a blossom from one of the fruit tree's there on her little moving butt!)

My photography is just terrible.  Not sure how to take photo's of a moving subject. 
Doggone it ...WHY does she hate the camera!  Especially outside.  Huh?  Anyone?
Anyone?

So..a trip to Lowe's and I made a real dent in my outside tasks...
Monday I will show you just how much..
You are going to be SO PROUD of me!  I mean I am proud of me!!  :)

Love'n hugs.
Mona



~ANOTHER DAY I DIDN'T TAKE FOR GRANTED...~

 

Started the day with a trip to the doctor.  It's a good thing I love my doctor, because I always balk at going in.  Scares me. 

Sorry, but I can't help it.  I go into panic mode, which is stupid, I know, but I just expect bad news..and

USUALLY get it! :) 

I just figure it's best to stay home and avoid trouble..but...I bit the bullet and went.

So...the day was all uphill from there!

 

Would you just LOOK at my first rose from those tiny little America rose bushes I planted by the arbor in the back yard right off the patio.  These roses we will be able to see the minute we step outside.  The other one we have to walk around the side...

Soooo pretty.  (just ignore the bird doo doo on the metal.  For some reason the birds LOVE to sit there and socialize..and poop!   Sheesh guys!!

 

And here is little pink bike in it's garden.  Really shows up beautifully..

Darned flowers in the basket died... :( 

 

Got all my flowers and new Irish Hope rose planted (finally!)  The poor thing was beginning to suffer.  I am SO mad at myself for taking so much time to ready the ground and get it planted.  Next time I will get the spot ready and THEN buy the blasted rose!  Another lesson learned!  For some reason, I buy plants and then let them sit around for ages before I get them into the ground.

 

 Have a blessed Wednesday!

 

Love'n hugs,

Mona

 



~SO PRETTY IN PINK...~

 

Remember the little green bike that didn't show up well in all that greenery?
 

I had suggestions that I paint it...and so I did.  Joyce@ October Farm suggested nail polish!

Brilliant idea!  So out came my nail polish and I polished that little green bike.  I didn't have any red and just recently decided to experiment with nail polish with color.  I don't usually paint color on my nails..but.. and so turned it into a pretty in pink bike.  Name of the polish?  "Kiss Me On My Tulips" .... is that cute or what??

 

Now to fill that little basket with some moss and tiny flowers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Done!  Thanks to  all of  you who said "PAINT IT!"   You ALL be SO smart!! :)  The Fairies are gonna LOVE this!

 

(I would be SHOCKED if I ever had a picture that was in focus!! )

 

LOVE that pink!  Did you know I just bought a pair of shoes that color?  



 

..and yes, those are my flannel pj's.  I dug them out of the closet to show you, plus it is nearly 10 PM.

We used to call this HOT pink.    (Yikes, do I need a pedicure!)

AND...

 

I found this pretty pink barrette on Etsy.  The artist's name is Laurie. 
She is at skybluedesigns2.  I get the loveliest barrette's from her. 

 

PH took a picture of it in my hair so you can see.  It's kind of blurry, but you get the idea.  He is so helpful.  Kept complaining because his hands were shakey... awwww...he did good!

(I hope that isn't a yellowish color I see in my hair???)

 

So...have I inspired you to go pink for Spring? And I didn't even show you my litte pink T with silver buttons on the shoulders..or..are they gold.  Can't remember.

...and if I get up and go in that bedroom I won't be back. 

Falling asleep here zzzzzzzzzz.

 

Love'n hugs,

Mona 

 

I am joining Marty for her Inspire Me Tuesday party!

Yep...the hostess with the mostess!  That's our Marty! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~EEEEEHAAAAAA..IT'S DONE.~

Had a little message from blogger friend, Mellodee @ Mellodee musings  today and nearly fell off my chair.  I won't quote her...but trust me, it was funny.  We were discussing..aging..
You know?  Well, some of you out there don't, but at my age it begins to get tedious. 
And PLEASE don't write to me about some old lady (and you will say she is young!) my age is out there running the Iron Man Marathon.  I just don't wanna hear it! 

 

This morning..(it was one of THOSE mornings)..I got up and when it began to get light I went out and began cleaning out that blasted flower bed. 
What I have attemped to do in the past...(and never finished) was take my weeder tool, go out and sit down and start the back breaking task of pulling, not just weeds, but grass.  The kind with runners?
It looked like the lawn had jumped the curb and just filled in....and it had!
It was something I never finished, nor did PH.  ( I MUST find a better name for him..PH sort of sounds "medical" doesn't it?)  so anyway...

 

Suddenly it came to me what Grandaddy used to do..Dad too.  I was working way too hard and by Christmas it wouldn't be done. 

Yesterday we watered well..and the ground was all nice.  So I got my shovel and went to work.  I just loosened the soil and it was so easy, all the way to the Cyprus tree and then got my big red bucket and my bug smashing gloves and went to work.

All I did was pick up the grass and weeds, shake it and toss it in the bucket.  Total time probably less than a half hour.  Well, perhaps an hour.  I can't remember...but whatever!  It was done in no time flat!

 

I am watering again and tomorrow these poor sad half dead things (it's hot here!) are going in the ground after I toss in a bag of potting soil to richen it up a bit.  I was going to Home Depot..but now I'm not.
Well, :) perhaps just to look?

The wheelbarrow?  It's around the corner.  All of that potting soil is going in the trash.  There could be buggy eggs in it...I know it might sound wasteful..but..I just cannot bring myself to use it.

I feel like I've run the Iron Man marathon!  I collapsed with a diet coke with ice. 
I'm ok.  Not to call 911 or anything like that.  I just look half dead, I'm really not!  All that hard breathing and staggering around is normal for me.
:)

Big hugs,
Mona

P.S.  OH HOW I want to share what Mellodee said.....LOL









  

~NEVER AGAIN WILL I SAY "JUST ANOTHER DAY"..~

Every single one is precious!

Our trusty exterminators will be here in the morning.  The nice lady said he would treat the soil in the wheelbarrow and give the garden shed a going over!  STAYING out of there anyway.  My little gardening tools are right under my potting bench on the patio as is plant food etc.  So...nipped that in the bud (almost!)  

 

 

Last week I added this little red Bistro set to the patio.  It looks very fragile but believe me, it is NOT!  It is very, very heavy and not too much fun to move around. 

At least I know a guest isn't going to fall over when sitting in it.  It does demand some light weight chair pads though, don't you think?

See Mele out there soaking up the rays on the new mown grass!  My little girl is doing well.

No sign of any trouble.  Thank heavens!

 

I tell myself that I don't need to get out and walk Mele..she is tiny has plenty of room to get her exercise.  (Well, that's what I tell myself anyway..)

 

I have some snapshots of this and that...none that are interesting enough to bore you with..so I am off to bed. 

 

***********

PLEASE! 

One last thing...but most importantly...our dear

friend Balisha is in trouble.   She is the dearest and nicest lady ever, and very private, but her son is desperately ill and on life support..and she is terrified.  PLEASE, if you have a moment, go visit her and offer her your heart felt support.  She is shy about asking for your prayers...and I know exactly how she feels as my family and I have just gone through, and are still going through a difficult time.

Balisha is at NEVER ENOUGH TIME and I cannot seem to get a link to her.  She is on my sidebar..so PLEASE take a moment to do that?  I would love you for it..

 

My love to all of you..

Mona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



~SHORT HORROR STORY...~

 

 

Today was the day!  No more putting it off...I mean it's silly!  Such a small task..really simple.  So...

since I had another wheelbarrow that we don't use (garage sale for $5:) which has been sitting around for four years...WITH a flat tire..I had Patient Husband fix the flat (bless his heart)  drill the bottom full of nice  holes for good drainage.   I am starting another little mini garden to wheel about the yard.  I have plants from last season that never got planted.  Poor little things!  Their plastic pots were breaking apart, they were drying out and wilting constantly..so those are going in.  NO idea what else..but it's a start.  I will let you know how it goes.

 

This is a much larger wheelbarrow than the last one.  The sides are all faded but you can see it was once  a rather pretty blue.  I decided to let it be..We shall see what a little WD-40  can do for it. 

Should I paint it or leave it all chippy?  Right now I guess it's staying chippy.

Yes, yes, I know.  I do a lot of digressing!

 

 I was hot into getting this done!  ON a mission!  I wheeled out my little light weight, handy dandy, lady like wheelbarrow and headed for the shed.  PH told me there is a nice big sack of potting soil there just waiting to be used..AND so it was!  Delightful!

 

I reach into the dim garden shed and drag out the garden soil...and with a mighty HEAVE I get it into my little wheelbarrow and head to the back 40 where my heavy duty wheelbarrow is waiting.  Things are going beautifully. 

I grab the big bag of soil and get the top ripped open wide enough to dump the entire bag in.  I dump  the entire contents in neat as can be...and then I SCREAM bloody murder!  Cockroaches..EVERYWHERE!!!

 

 

 

BIG ones, medium ones, tiny ones!!!

  I start slapping with my gloved hands..they simply CANNOT get away from me..up the sides they run..SMASH!  They try to dig into the soil and escape.  HUGE handfuls of soil I grab and SMASH!!  I swat, I squish I pulverize, I cringe and swat some more...and finally, things look calm.  I am breathing like I had just run a complete half block!

It's quiet..I take my little trowel and turn over soil..MORE run out and dash for the sides..some burrow!  I don't budge I keep right on squashing and shuttering...and ..ok, there were a few choice words there for the neighbors to hear (I hoped they were not home!) but I kept turning the soil and breaking up the clods and smashing!!  

I was on a total "search and destroy!"  Not a single prisoner was taken!!

Then I stood and watched, eyes darting this way and that...as I  cringed and shuddered... 

 

Why didn't I spray them?  Are you kidding?  The wheelbarrow was right next to the house!!

NOT a single nasty critter was allowed to escape. 

Not once did I yell for Patient Husband.  HE would have said.."don't get excited.  I'll go get the spray!"  and wandered calmly off!   No! 

I did what was best.  I SMASHED them. 

Please don't tell me you are a naturalist or that they are a protected species..ok?

:)

I am calling the terminator...I mean exterminator out in the morning!

 

Big hugs,

Mona

 

 

P.S. I hope to heavens PH didn't hear me curse!  He never said a word when he finally arrived to see what all the ruckus was about.  I KNOW I am going to have nightmares tonight!! :(  I just KNOW it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



~A SHOPPER'S PARADISE..~

This past Saturday was the BIG garage sale event of the year.  Every year a Real Estate Co. invites an entire neightborhood  (specifically one known as the Wood Streets here in our city) to join in.  It is free, and the company furnishes lovely "garage sales" signs for the event.  They place them on our main street, known as Magnolia Ave. which becomes Main as it reaches downtown.

 At the end of the day they retrieve them.  The homeowner or renters have to do nothing but put their things out to sell and take them in at the end of the day.  NO sign hassel which is one of the big tasks connected to having a garage sale.

 

So, of course, bright and early Saturday morning found us out and about...having the time of our lives.

All one had to do is park on a block..and walk the street and it was pure UTOPIA!  Yes indeed!

 

 

The first sale I bought ...

..the perfect pinky ring!  Exactly what I have been looking for...IN STORES!

It fit!

Sterling silver with rubies.  925 is clearly imprinted on the inside.  Synthetic or not, I have no idea..but they are beautiful.  They don't shine in the photo but they really are shiny.

$3.00  A REAL good deal!

 

Two little bracelets.  One of pearl type beads.  Attached was a heavy metal heart with a lobster clasp attached.

The other is made of wooden beads and silver beads.  

25 cents each.  Great deal!

 

Sweet patio table ..and my umbrella from another garage sale last year...fits perfectly

She wanted $15 but took $10!  A deal?  YOU bet.  the legs even still have the plugs in them.

After a good bath and a rub down of WD-40 and it was lovely.  The chairs are used everywhere ..it's ok if they don't match...isn't it?  I stuck the froggy there along with some green matching plants..you know for the fashion wise.  heh heh!

 

I am a sucker for a pretty storage box.  This one is heavy duty and will work perfectly under my desk for this and that.  16x11x7  Price $1.00   I am going to use it to store my packing tape, boxes of cards, boxes of checks,  and other odds and ends I like at my finger tips but don't like to look at piled on my desk.  A good buy!

 

See? This kind of stuff. :)  Journals I don't use..yet...My Weight Watchers book. etc. etc.

 

 

At the same garage sale, she was selling flags.  LOTS of them.  Price was 22.99.  These cost a bit in stores and can get up there in price so for $5 I picked out one I really liked. 

The berries match the house trim.  So...anyway...*silly grin*  on to the next one. 

 

 

A frame, velvet backing and very heavy..25 cents.

The pumpkin...$7 but a high end piece.  And..I really wanted it.  It is medium sized  with a opening in the back and of course a removable lid.  It's really nice...and the woman said "but you can't use it until Halloween?!"  I just looked at her and she grinned and said "oh..well...I guess maybe you can!"

 

Getting pretty tired by now and wanting things I don't need, have no room for, etc. etc.

Then at the same place I bought the pumpkin, I discovered these...and PH and I just stood and stared...

a whole kitchen worth of sliding shelves!!  Rather pricy at the store..and here they were..

 

PH got three of them installed yesterday and I am so happy..

NO more bending, emptying shelves to see what I have..and it's wonderful.

 

Yeah, I know, nothing unusual but for me it was like finding a bit of gold.

The cabinets were just so deep to be convenient.

Price for all  7?  $45.00  Since we know the price in the stores...we were happy campers and these looked like they were never used. 

 

Ahhh...garage sales, a shoppers paradise!

 

Big hugs,

Mona

 

 

I know I am late, but I am joining my Marty for @ A Stroll Thru Life. 

 



~WHISPERS OF ROSES~

Remember when I planted those little 7 inch roses not all that long ago!  My daughter, Maryalice has given me two lovely arbors that she didn't need after she moved..

 

I discovered a pretty rose that I loved while living in Bakersfield and when I had to leave there after my husband died,  I gave up my rose arbor and rose garden that I had spent 6 years growing.

It broke my heart to say goodby to them..as all of them were gifts from my children and husband, Frank. 

So...when I married and moved to this little home I began anew and here, finally I have another arbor of roses.  This is the first year it reached the top and bloomed  and I am so happy!! 

 

Those two tiny little climbing rose bushes...which were about 7 inches tall, finally reached the top this years. 

The name is America.  I bought them from Heirloom Roses.  

 ..wish I could find that first photo. 

It's somewhere on here..on one of my posts... oh well...

 

 

I am in love with my rose arbor!  I never thought I would have another one.

 

 

I planted two more America's in the back yard by the patio...remember?  Well, this is what it will look like one day. 

  

Yes, I whisper of roses and will one day have another rose garden.

Irish Hope arrived today.  It will be planted with lots of hope for the furture..tomorrow.

Roses have always made me smile, but then all flowers do.

 

Hugs and love,

Mona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~MELE AND ME..~

Last Saturday I bought several books at garage sales.  One was a book that probably many of you have read or if you haven't, you've seen the movie or at least heard of it.

By Sunday evening I had finished it. 

I cried several times while reading it..for several reasons...

 

First because I love animals so much.  Would have many more if I could, and partly because I am probably in a very emotional time of my life.  Marley and Me was a touching book and I was amazed at the patience of the young couple who bought a little puppy that brought them so much grief, but joy as well.  They struggled to understand their dog and went to great lengths to fix whatever was causing their beloved pet to be so difficult.

Just raising a puppy, kitten or any pet can be a daunting task but Marley was a HUGE undertaking. 

 

I have had dogs AND cats as a part of our household as long as I can remember.   My children slept with our dogs at their feet just as I did as a child.  Some may disapprove and that's alright.  This was just our way.  Not everyone's.
Mele still and always will sleep at my feet.

The beautiful little white Pom I owned for years before Mele, was  "kennel trained" because the book said that is what Poms wanted.  Winnie HATED it from the very first day but she was locked into it each night.
I have to wonder now WHY I continued with it when she so plainly hated it. 
I used to say it was because of Earthquakes and if one occurred, I would be able to find her quickly.
Now I am sorry.  So sorry.
She was in her kennel one evening in the other room.  She became very ill from something (we never found out what she ate) and to make a long sad story short, she died.  She was ill all night long and we slept right through it.  She died at the Vet's two days later.
  NO more kennels for me. 

 

When I finished the book Marley and Me the following night, realization suddenly hit me..that once again I was going to lose someone I loved.  My Mele.  Mele was a Christmas gift to me from my husband six months after Winnie died.  I think of Mele as young but she is now nine years old and beginning to show her age.  She is slowing down..doesn't romp as often and after a few barks, quickly lets guests alone.  I used to have to put her into the bedroom for a short period until she could get a grip on her joy at having company, someone new to smell and greet.  No more.  She takes it all in stride.  Greets with a wagging tail..recieves a pat and is gone.

I looked down as I munched my morning toast and drank my coffee loaded with creamer, and there she was...patiently waiting for her treat of toast this morning.  So I snapped her picture.

 

Day or night, she is never far from my side.

 

Several weeks ago I had a terrible scare.  Mele suddenly became terribly ill.  Her tail hung down and she shook terribly.  I quickly called my Vet to find his office was not open on Friday's and his help said I would have to take Mele to the Vet Emergency Hospital.  Nope, I had lost two pets there and though it  was not their fault..I just couldn't.
I called my son in law, Jim, and he gave me a Vet's name close to them that he knew.  I called and yes they would take her.  Come right in. We jumped in the car and headed out. 
TRAFFIC!  After work traffic.  We were stuck!  It was late and the office was near closing.  I called son in law back for the Vet's number...he said he would call them and say we were on our way.

Finally we arrived and rushed inside.  They were waiting for us..and in a short few minutes they took Mele from me...
Here what happened next.
A few minutes later the door opened and in walked my son in law AND my daughter Erin.  He had picked her up at work (she is a high school counselor and school had just let out) and they came straight to the Vet's office.  When I looked up and saw her I burst into fresh tears.  She sat and hugged me.  I was not expecting them to come and when I had calmed a bit she went off to the bakery my son and his wife own for some hot tea and when she returned she had my daughter in law, Cheryl in tow and not only tea but a big container of rice pudding from the bakery!  It's my favorite next to the chocolate bread pudding.  More tears, but this time tears of happiness that they were all there..
I was not alone.
There we all sat..sweet Patient Husband, me, daughter Erin, Jim, my son in law and Cheryl my daughter in law that owns the little bakery.  All for one little dog who is very loved.

Since losing our Sandy, we are all gathering at the slightest hint of hurt.  We were close in the first place but it's different now.  The impossible has happened...the absolutely impossible!
The concern on their faces suddenly made me realize...I HAVE to be careful where all of them are concerned.  One sniffle from me ..and they are on the alert. 
I do NOT want them to worry.  They have been through a lot.  No more.
They watch me carefully.

Mele is fine.  She has some problems but she has taken her medications and is doing well.
She has a condition that is common to all Poms... a collapsing esophagus, plus her pancreas had something wrong with it. 

I know full well what is ahead of me where Mele is concerned and I dread it.  I hope she lives many more years and she will get all the care I can give her.

Family and pets.  What a great thing to have.

***************
And then I read "Marley and Me"...  *smile*  I may have cried but I also laughed.
Yep..laughter is the best medicine of all.


Big hugs!
Mona