~SUNRISE, SUNSET...and it's NOVEMBER~

Emily

 

They are adorable at every age.  I don't have a favorite..from newborn to college and beyond.

I wish I could be here to see her grown with children of her own, but of course that won't happen.

I wonder if she will remember me.

 

The only memory I have of my great grandmother is when she was ill in bed..her very last days.

I cannot even bring her face to my mind and I was her first great grandchild.  And then I think of all the other grandmothers that came before and I wonder if they felt the same, wondered the same things I do.

 

November 1st.  Another Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  Will November pass as quickly as October did.  Is the world spinning faster?  I honestly think it is.  :)

 

 

My daughter Mary with her little niece.  I named Mary "Maryalice Lillian.  Mary was her great great grandmother's name, Alice was her  great grandmother and Lillian was her Grandma's name.

Easy for her to remember them.  At least their names. 

Well, she was, after all, my sixth child.  I was running out of names.

 

Now on to Thanksgiving. 

The words of a song come to mind..

"One season following another...

laden with happiness and tears"

 

It's been a year of tears and of joy. 

 

Love,

Mona

p.s.  I didn't mean to be a downer.  I should never post past midnight.  I really am good.

Honest! :) 



~OCTOBER 31'ST IS HERE...ALREADY.~

~A very safe and Happy Halloween to all of you!~

See you in November...

~A BEAUTIFUL DAY...

We had visitors on Friday and the day was wonderful.  Emily with Grandma and Grandpa.  Emily is getting tall!  And not only that, she is learning to speak Mandarin!!  They are teaching it in her Kindergarten class.
 ...hmmmmm..

We ate our lunch out on the patio. They brought a huge chocolate cake that was delicious and sweet gifts and sang Happy Birthday. 

I am now 77 and PH is 80!  Really, REALLY old now.  Our birthdays are only a couple of weeks apart.  It seems like I get up in the morning and suddenly it's time to go to bed.  A dizzying whirl of days zooming by at breakneck speed. 

Please forgive me if I haven't gotten over to visit you for awhile.  Not up to par lately but then again, I could be JUST PLAIN LAZY!!   Just going through a time when everything seems like an effort.  Ever have that happen to you?  :)  Mainly it's technology.  It should NOT be as confusing to me as it is.
It rained today and I loved every single moment of it.  Cool and crisp outside..I think Autumn is finally here.
About darned time!!

Love,
Mona

p.s.  Gail dear..I DID go look at the bike a few times...  :)  Just didn't get on it.  I will try soon, I promise.



~BACK IN BUSINESS...~

 

Well, finally!  I got desperately brave and called my eldest grandson in LA area, and in no time flat he had me on the right track!! 

I cannot begin to tell you my relief.  I have always used AOL as a browser, and he informed me that it was NOT the best "browser" to use.  He had me go to enternet explorer and I was immediately back in business, AND I learned some things! 

He is coming to visit in the next couple of weeks and show me how to do several things.  I cannot wait!

He is the most patient young man.  Seems like yesterday he was toddling around and today he is in his mid thirties, a husband and a father and the sweetest grandson to me.

 

SO... :)

 

 This is the fireplace mantel..which I've already shown..

 





...but this is an idea I came up with from the suggestion that Joyce @ Octoberfarm came up with.

She suggesting putting the orange Halloween lights in containers..and I loved it.  So I used a basket with a weave the lighting could show through.  Nice!

In the evening it looks like the glow of coals on the fire..

 

..as it is MUCH too warm here yet to light the fireplace.

It gives off a cozy glow!

Love it!

 

My tabletop is ever changing..and

 

 

Would you believe there was some things I didn't have room for? 

Believe me ..this place is crammed.  Every nook and corner..and I love it.

 

So...are y'all proud of me that I didn't cave and do my usual storming off in a huff and at a rash moment delete my entire blog?  Because you KNOW that is exactly what I came close to doing.

 

What did I learn?  I learned what a lousy BROWSER is!!!  :)

 

Many hugs and thank you so much, all of you, for being there for me! 

 

Love,

Mona 



~MY SWAN SONG IS APPROACHING...~

Hi...it's just me. :)   I am still unable to post photo's and I have tried everything, including writing to blogger.  I've asked if I needed to pay for more space..and if so, tell me how to do that.  

They sent me some directions but they are to the things I have already tried.  Dragging and dropping here..and tried through picasa but that didn't work.  I did get one old photo to show up but if you look at my earlier post..the picture has now disappeared.  

So..what next?

I am not sure.  

Not at all interesting without pictures, so I am thinking of cashing it in..trying to get my blog printed and move on.  I will miss all of you something terrible.  I've put off doing that...but it's become so stressful that it's beginning to not worth it.  

Thank you for all the help you attempted to give me.  You sweet people are wonderful.  

My only hope now is that blogger does something to help.  

I will keep visiting.

Love,

Mona

~IS THIS A SIGN?~

:) Is this a sign that I should hang up blogging?  NO!  Is someone trying to tell me something??  Probably.

Good morning...

This is not the photo I wanted to show you..but..I have found that I can put photo's from picaso *smile* I mean picasa, here..and quickly.  Problem now is HOW did my pictures get on picasa since I don't recall sending them there.  I take pictures with my camera and download them to my files that say Pictures.  

I am SO confused...

Anyway..these are daughters pumpkin cookies she makes every year..

This is a test run to see ..hmmm..blogger is doing something.  Not sure what.  I am going back to picasa to see if my photo's from my camera are there.  

This is stressful.  Really stressful.

I SHALL return.. NEED coffee!!

Mona

~HELP..please..

Well, another day without being able to post any photo's.  They just won't load and I cannot figure out why.  
I thought it just glitch that would go away..but no.  Seems it's not going to go away any time soon.
VERY frustrating!
A little round light blinks..red, pink, or some such colors and then sometimes a green flashes and I get hopeful..but no pictures will load.  I've tried all different ones and nothing happens.
The bar pops up but does not have anything in it and no matter how long I wait..no photo's.
Sometimes one will load with an X on it..and I try again..and ..sometimes this ends up with two of the same and one has to be deleted.
So..once again..I give up.

Is there some new trick that I have missed?  Something else we have to do?
Any suggestions?  

~AUTUMN MANTEL..wanna see? Hmmmmm?

I did not touch those crates of Halloween "stuff" today.  There are four of them..and after spending the morning in the dentist chair, I was in no mood to decorate.

However...  :)

I DID do a bit yesterday?  On Saturday (I think, I lose track of time lately..) I found some of the stuff that I love and will not part with..you know..until I HAVE to.
I did mess around with the mantel a bit..but of course it will continue to change...bit by bit..but I have a beginning...
 

Problem?

It does not shine.  I wanted some sparkle...I don't know..

 

Anyway...

I think I am a habitual malcontent...I do!  Never quite satisfied with the results of my attempts at decor!  Everything always looks better in someone else's home..and I wonder "now why can't mine look like that!"  LOL...

I think these are considered "Prim's" and our home is really not Primitive decor..but there are just some things that I think are so cute...

A wonderful crafter made these and I found them on ebay a few years ago.  Seems these talented people come and go, most never to be found again.

 There are little owls on each end of the mantel, but they don't show up much in the pictures...

 My cinnimon covered cat is another of favorites..and Halloweeny..(oops, forgot to remove his

par-tay hat!  He probably would not look any less Halloween if I did that anyway..so what the heck.

Trying to stick to Fallish things for a couple of weeks.  NOT easy for Miss "Hurry Quick!" here.

 

That's it.  Oh, and the painting..my gorgeous Fall painting.  I posted it last Fall and I will post it until I croak!  I LOVE that painting.  Again...where did my artist disappear to?

 

So..tha..tha..tha's all folks!

:)

HUGE hugs..and lotsa love..

Mona



~WHAT A WAY TO START AUTUMN...

A perfect 76 degree's at the beach and at 3:44 Autumn was officially here. A lot of family and friends came and it was a wonderful first day of Autumn!  I think there were over 40..maybe more more..joined us.

 

This was just the beginning and by the end of the cooking this pot was filled with the GREATEST tasting sause that we dipped homemade bread into!  HOT though!  Spicy!

 

Time to empty the pot and add more!!

 

It was all delicious, but I wasn't too fond of the prawns..their little buggy eyes were looking at me and....I passed on those.  The shrimp was another matter.

 

You cannot imagine how great this all tasted!  I ate until my poor tummy was hurting.

 And I had already devoured my bread pudding by the time dinner was ready!

I'm terrible!! 

 

As quick as we filled our plates more food was added.

 

The artichokes were added to the pile of food and everyone dug in...

 

PH is wolfing down a hunk of homemade bread and butter from son and Daughter in laws bakery.

It was also wrapped and put on the fire...YUM!

 

Daughter in law, Cheryl and I.  This is NOT a good picture of either of us..but oh well.  We could have smiled a wee bit prettier ..LOL  Aw well..who cares!  The wind had come up and was a bit cool..and after the heat we have been having, I felt it. 

We had SUCH a nice afternoon.  We really did.  One I will remember for a long time.

I am so looking forward to this season! 

Love'n hugs,

Mona

 



~AUTUMN...JUST HOURS AWAY...~

I'm REALLY motivated now!

You see, I got out there in that shed today...(the temp high was only 78 degree's!) and pulled all that junk out and went through all of those plastic bins to see whatever happened to all my Halloween stuff.  I kept thinking of stuff..and wishing I could figure out where it all went.   TONS of Christmas, but no Fall or Halloween. 

Well..be careful what you wish for.  I found it! 

 

I am NOT, I say NOT, going to put all of that stuff out. 

Monday I am going through every bit of it and what I don't put out is going to GOODWILL!

I'm not kidding about this.

 

 These are the new Fall placemats I found on ebay..and napkins.

 

 ...and on the back?  Halloween, of course!

 

 The napkins are black with tiny stars on one side and a pretty Fall tiny print on the other.

 

 This is my pumpkin tea set that daughter Mary gave me many years ago..and which she has borrowed...uh huh, indeed she has!  :)  I finally got it back..

I love it! 

Isn't this exciting???  LOL  This is what you post about when you really have NOTHING!  :)

Remember...I said "motivated" not "inspired"...  :)

 

Do I REALLY want my hutch decorated with this?  Maybe...I 'll add a spider to his head ...:)  Oh why not?!!  heh heh! :)

 

Today I saw homes in full HALLOWEEN dress...I mean ghosts and all!  Already!  Kinda tickled me to know I am not the only one that rushes things!

:):):)

 

Big Fall hugs,

Mona

 

P.S.  BIG Fall bon fire Sunday night at the beach..family and friends will all get together and celebrate the first day of Autumn!

Isn't it wonderful?? 

I am so appreciating my wonderful family!!  The bigger the better my Mom used to say!

I'll take picture!  (if I remember)



~ENOUGH ALREADY..~

Every year I say I am only going to add just ONE new item to my Halloween collection..and I NEVER keep my promise to myself. 

I invaribley forget what I have packed away..

It's a sad situation.

 

I found this little collage on ebay and fell in love with the baby crow in a cage.  I may replace the crystal ball with a real one..but otherwise I love it.  A real rose will be added as well. 
The book is a real one and is fascinating how they madeit. 

And then I found these Halloween pillows..

 A haunted house with a flying Witch was also added....these are for my front porch IF I ever get it finished! 

And these little shelf sitters..all dusted in cinnimon so they smell lovely.

That's IT.  I'm DONE I tell you!

Not another thing.  Nothing!

 

Then, heaven forbid, I stumbled across this artist that paints the most gorgeous things for HALLOWEEN ...but of course they are WAY out of my price range. 

I would LOVE to have at least one of her items.....you know...but they really ARE way too expensive.

 

Lovely as they are..I do NOT need this.  I am retired.  I have enough stuff !!  I will not buy anything else!  I MEAN it this time!!

HELP! HELP!

~OH JOY..MY GINGERSNAPS ARRIVED~

 Anyone who has not had the experience of blogging, is just missing SO much.  IF you are not a blogger, but you have thought of doing it,  it is one of the most rewarding experinces you will ever have. 

Caring, love and acceptance at your fingertips.

We all have our dearest friends that we love and see in our every day lives, have lunch with, chat on the phone with, etc.  But Bloggers...are different.  They are just so loving, giving, kind and thoughtful, without ever having met you in person.  Some even travel miles and miles to meet you, such as Joanne from the OC, Marydon and Tanza 

An amazing group of people. 

I sometimes wonder...does the world know about us?

:)

 

We are the way the world should run, don't you think?

 



 BJ!  Thank you dear!  The package came today..and I was just plain overwhelmed!
 

 I won bj's "GIVEAWAY" just before she took a short break and had tests done to make sure all was well.   PLUS, she and her Mr. Sweets are in the middle of a house sale..and anyone who has done that KNOWS how challenging it can be!

Still...bj had time to do a "GIVEAWAY"...  An amazing woman, our bj!
 

 This is what greated me when I opened the package.  First let me tell you that I was expecting a nice box of delicious Texas Gingersnaps..  and THIS is what was delivered to my door and greeted me when I opened package...
 

Just look at the beautiful box my gifts came in!  A box of Texas Gingersnaps?  :)

YOU sweet, sweet friend of my heart!  HARDLY a box of Gingersnaps!
 

Yes indeed! *smile*
 

 OH MY!! 

A wee out of focus, but I was just so excited!  Like Christmas!!

 



...and inside that pretty paper wrapping, each little delicious cookie is shaped like TEXAS, of course! :)

 This adorable mug with a cute hen on it.  (bj KNOWS me!) but ANYONE would just love this mug! 

Cocoa and Good Earth tea.  YUM!!

 

..not to mention the Gingersnaps...they are just delicious!!
See?  bj's little tutorial taught me something.  :)  I took my time and tried bj's way of photographing.
Nice, huh?  At least a lot better than my usual efforts... thanks for the photography lesson!

  

 I had to grin at the sweet extra's she added to my box of cookies!

But...that's bj!!!  (By now PH is VERY interested!!  I actually think he was a wee jealous!)
*giggle*

 

 ....inside was this little container of flavoring to add to my water bottles?  HOW did she know I hated water and the doctor is almost force  feeding me the stuff!  I cannot wait to try this...AND I drink everything with straws.  AND...AND..I adore polka dots!  These straws are just adorable.  I will add them to my jar of straws..but NO ONE CAN USE THEM!  They are just to look at and admire!  :)

Remember when we bought our polka dotted baking dishes, bj?

When I opened my box of gifts, the most fantastic aroma met me.  This is just plain delicious smelling and now my whole family room smells delightful!

 



As bj says..." Can you say OH HONEY!"

WILL you JUST look at the goodies??

...And this is the most WONDERFUL part of all...her note!!

I've won a lot more than those delicious Gingersnaps and all of the delightful gifts.  I've won your friendship, bj,  and THAT is the greatest treasure of all.

THANK YOU!

.............

 

Love to ALL of you out there that take the time to visit me and comment and take part in my life.

You are the wind beneath my wings..unseen, but out there helping me put one foot in front of the other.

Hugs and love,

Mona

 

     

 



~DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF....

...and it's all small stuff, or so they say. 
I believe that, for the most part...but sometimes it's the small stuff that can get you down.  I hired a gardener on June 6th and he was terrible!  I mean really bad all the way around.  He did NOTHING but mow, blow and go and that was NOT what was promised.
Nor would he communicate, which was a headache.
So..I fired him and hired a new gardener. 
I think if it had been left up to PH that terrible gardener would still be here! :):)

Our hedges have never looked so nice!

The grass that had grown up around the fruit and Birch tree's is GONE!  The flowerbeds were all freshly weeded.  Mateo's wife said that each time Mateo came our yard would look better and better. (As opposed to worse and worse!)  I am so pleased. 

His business card says it all.   Corners were clear of weeds and leaves, dead branches were cleared away on the tree's...it was wonderful...and then..
Poor Mateo!
My beautiful ferns that I have so lovingly grown to lay over the low flower bed wall,

...were shorn off.  I looked out my front window, saw things flying through the air, heard a panicked yell and saw my new Gardener running across the lawn hollering at the top of his lungs to "STOP!"
His helper was chopping my ferns off even with the wall...and now they look like this..

My poor gardener!!  He was beside himself!

But..they will grow back in time, and at least the corner one is in tact!   A small irritation so small that I thought twice about blogging about it. 
Leaves are beginning to blow through the air now..and even though it's still so hot, it's an early signal that Autumn is on it's way. 
I actually went out to lunch with a dear friend today, then  off to my favorite little Vintage Flaire shop and found a pair of the sweetest pearls.  Searched a bit for pumpkins but nothing is out yet. 
Soon I hope. 

It was a good day.  I hesitated to talk about Sandy but it made me feel better to talk about her and how I am feeling.  Thank you for listening..thank you!

Love,
Mona

 



~ONE SET OF FOOTPRINTS~

 

This was Sandy and I exactly one year ago tomorrow morning.  We were having a cup of coffee on her patio in the early morning..just out of bed.  Daughter Mary took our picture. 

We had hope.  God doesn't let us look too far down the road...so we can smile today.  Last September, daughter Mary and I, flew to Atlanta to spend time with Sandy.  We shopped.  She helped me pick out a small make up primer.  I hold that container in my hand every day..and remember her handing it to me..and showing me how to apply it. 

Sandy was everyone's rock.  I wish you could have known her.

~my brave girl~

 

I still sleep a lot more than usual..but I am feeling better. 

I think reality just hits me. 

I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it was to get your sweet letters and notes of encouragement.

I wish there was a pill one could take for such a thing.  Some of you out there know what I mean.

It's a pain that only time can heal...but it certainly helps to have friends such as yourselves.

You bring tears of joy to my eyes and hope to my heart. 

In time I will be fine.  The world keeps on turning and I am glad all of you are in my world.

 

(There is only one set of footprints in the sand...HE is carrying me...)

 

My love to all of you,

Mona