~IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...

CHRISTMAS!!

I procrastinated a bit this year and didn't get started decorating until about five days ago.  Not sure why I did that except for a lack of energy, but once started..once crates were down and opened..I smiled and began unwrapping things remembered..some from many years ago.  

I had fun.  

I'm still tweaking here and there...

 I am a terrible photographer!  Probably using my camera wrong, plus the light in our family room is  BRIGHT!

The chairs turn out looking purple..and they are not.  Strange.

No matter..you can get the idea..and..I've already changed things a bit....I always do that..

*sigh* DAILY!!

 It looks cluttered I know..but my brain is cluttered..so...

Grief!  It's the lighting...I need lessons or something..(I do not read directions ..so never mind that!)

:)  

The carpet is SAGE GREEN, for pete's sakes!  LOL

That's one half of the room.  It's a big room.  Sorry for the blur..shoot!!!  

I'm still loving my new beam..  I didn't take pictures..but the opposite side of the beam has plaid bows in each corner. 

See you tomorrow..

Peace!

Mona

~MAKING MEMORIES AND REMEMBERING LOVED ONES..

The Christmas decorating is done.  Just finished the little tree in the livingroom this evening.

Our company, bless her heart, is home now.  Howard's daughter flew out from Colorado and stayed a few days.  She is just the best house guest!  

Thanksgiving was lovely..and now we are headed for Christmas.  I DO SO love this time of year.  

This is me at my daughter's home.  Granddaughter, Rachel, is seen in the background.  She is the one that is carrying my ninth great grandchild.  A little girl.  I am SO happy.  I won't live to see these little ones grow up..but I am so proud and happy I've lived to see them at least.  She is due to join our family in March.

Next Christmas the new little ones will be old enough to join in the festivities.  

 The main dessert buffet~

Would you believe how the men chipped in to help?

  

I had to smile.  In the background are my daughter in law, Cheryl on the left and daughter, Erin, on the right.

...and then I got involved in the business of enjoying my family..  son Daniel is getting a snack..husband PH has his back to us...and my sweet "grunge" son Patrick who entertains us with his guitar playing and singing is to the right of PH.  He makes me smile

The handsome man on the far left is my son in law, Jimmy, Erin's husband.  The rest of the family had not yet arrived.

Each year when I see my daughter, Erin, with her brother Daniel..and know she gave him the gift of life by donating one of her kidneys so he could live..and I grateful.

I am grateful for the power of love that holds our family together.

PH has been the dearest step-father to my children and all the grands and greats.  They all love him so much and have welcomed him into our family with open arms.

Today I finished my Christmas decorating and tomorrow I will take a few pictures...

Nothing to shout about..but I had fun this year.  I want to enjoy every single year of getting ready for Christmas..every day, every hour and every minute.

It's getting more difficult and I admit it..but I won't give up.  Not yet.

Not yet..

Love and peace,

Mona 

*Today, nineteen years ago I lost my Patrick to cancer.  He would be pleased that I have gone on and am still decorating and living my life.  He is waiting for me behind the moon.  :)

~MY TWO CENTS...~

Have you heard blogging called "pretty blogland?"  I have, not a whole lot, but the term is used now and then.  I do understand what they mean...still....

It always makes me feel foolish to take pleasure in the simple things, like new dishes, plaid wallpaper, etc, etc. especially when our world is upside down.  There is so much tragedy going on and I know I have not mentioned it..or given my sentiments on my blog.  I've exchange emails with a dear and valued friend  and dispite our differences, it went amazingly well.  :)  More than one friend in fact.  It's fun learning you don't have to "walk on eggs" with those that are really good friends.

I guess I thought  it was pretty much understood that the world is saddened by all that is going on.  

I just want to say that with all our differences politically and in so many other ways, showing respect is becoming more and more important and I'm seeing less and less of it.  On TV, in the papers, everywhere.  It's good to share one's views if you've a mind to do so, but I just cannot get into the unkind criticisms  that sometimes goes along with our politic's and views on all matters.

It's has become difficult to watch the news.  I often leave the room because I drive PH insane shouting at the television  But, you know him.  Patient Husband?

  

I like "pretty blogland" as it is sometimes called.  It's a bit of normalcy in a sad world.  It's fun to look at other people's homes and decor...and hear about their families and make friends.  Why not??  I mean, isn't that what we all profess to value?  Family life? 

So those who would criticize "leaders"  who are trying to cope with these terrible times,  please try and be kind and give those under pressure a break.  Don't perpetuate hate.  What good does it do anyone. 

Can you tell I'm up past my bedtime and getting a bit cranky?  :)

Not sticking my head in the sand here, just so, so tired of the anger and hatred in the world.

Love, 

Love, 

Love, 

Mona

~IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE..PLAID~

Indeed it's not!  But, OH how I love it!  

Many, many years ago in the early 1970's I was "just looking" in a beautiful furniture store (Ethan Allen) and they had this thick catalog on their counter.  Several in fact which cost $10 each.  A decor magazine cost that much and more today.  After walking around the store..knowing full well I could buy nothing, of course I made sure the sales people knew not to spend any of their time with me, I picked up the catalog and began browsing through it.  My face must have shown my longing, because a nice man came up to me and said, "would you like to have one of our catalogs?"  I shook my head no, and said I was "just looking" AGAIN!

and the work begins..

That sweet man insisted that I take it.  No charge, he said.  The catalog was a beautiful book at least an inch thick.  The furniture was Colonial of course, with woods and finishes so lovely..that in time I wore that book out.  

The point is...there was a dining room...a PLAID dining room that was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and from that time on I have dreamed of a red plaid dining room.  Now I have it.  

End of story.

The first piece goes up!  (one of these days that cottage cheese ceiling is going to go!  I guess I could call it "retro" :) because it certainly is.

This picture was take at a different time of day, not so bright.  Later a neighbor came to visit and I took another picture..actually the pictures should be reversed. 

Some of you know I live in a home where strange things happen.  I don't like to go into a great detail because it always seems to get worse when I do.  If it were daytime..I wouldn't mind.  :)
But right now it's nearly three in the morning so the less said the better.  Believe me or not..it's been very difficult at times.  I am now as used to it as I will ever be but I used to think about moving.  PH is at a loss so we try to ignore it most of the time.
Enlarging this photo might help to see them.  Some are on the move and they move FAST!  Only black or a white streak can be seen sometimes..but go unnoticed by those that don't know.  Long story and 'nuff said.

 This is a very, very bright room so the wallpaper looks washed out in photo's and if there seems to be some blue in it, there isn't.  It's the lighting.

 Perhaps the brightness of the room is the reason the camera picked up the orbs.  Look closely..some are huge!  A trick of lighting on the lense.  I wish!!  It is not.

...and the room is back together...finally!  It's going to take me a few days to recover. :)

The black and red braided rug?  I don't know.  Found it at a garage sale..so right now that is where it landed.

In some spots the deep red of the paper shows up more.  Wish  I could have done a better job of photographing.  I'm sorry about the lighting..and for so many pictures.  I usually don't do that.
If you are still here...thanks so much for dropping in.
Love,
Mona 

~CHANGING SEASONS, CHANGING LIFE..

I'm noticing it..more and more.  It's the holidays once more and I'm waiting for that sudden burst of enthusiasm, that excitement of what's to come...and with each passing day I wait.  

I know it's up to me.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, all of it, just doesn't "happen"...we have to MAKE it.

I know this.

So..why am I waiting when I know that what I am expecting will come, but not like it was before.

It's changing.  Children and grandchildren have moved away and it's hard to get everyone together.

Traffic, you know.  I'm joking of course.  

Some even have to work on that day.  What happened to the times when everyone being together was a given.  It was unthinkable that someone would not be able to join the family for these precious holidays unless there was illness.

I knew it would never happen to me.  Never to me.  Our family's losses, all the changes that have taken place were never supposed to happen.

....but they have.

I used to decorate for the holidays with every single thing I owned.  I don't anymore.

I could not find my Fall Leaves this year..and I didn't even have PH climb up and look for them.

I let them stay where they were.  I made do with what I had.

So many of us won't be together this year,  and this year more will be missing than last year.

I'm sad.

But being who I am..tomorrow is the day that the paper hanger comes and begins putting up that plaid wallpaper that has been giving me heart palpatations!  

I cannot believe I am going through with it.  An ENTIRE ROOM OF RED PLAID!  Am I nuts?

YES!!  I AM!

You see, this is my last "go around" and it keeps my mind off things.  I am determined to "make happy!" and so should you!  Holiday's are not always fun.  But in spite of all that has happened..I will decorate the living hell out of this house..bake cookies..and look forward to the ones that WILL be gathering together.  

I will be GRATEFUL!  Just watch me! 

:) 

"Live, love, laugh and be happy..."  isn't that the way the song goes?

Hugs,

Mona

~PROJECTS ARE GOING TO GET ME IN TROUBLE!~

....Because PH hates projects!  

That's okay.  He's sweet about it.  

Thank heavens for sweet loyal blogger friends that are kind enough to come visit even when I haven't been around.  I don't deserve it...but thank you so much!

What happened to my left knee is that I pushed a heavy rolled up hose under the hedge in the back yard with the inside of my left foot and felt a snap in my knee.  Nothing more..but the following day I woke up and tried to stand on my feet..and I knew I was in trouble.

It started last late March and I've been working on trying to find relief ever since.  Shots in the knee cap and now a double dose of pills.   Which seem to be working.  At least I am walking again.

My son and my neighbor from across the street and of course PH, got the beam up for me.  If I could get rid of the cottage cheese ceiling, I would, and will..but right now, my projects are about to drive PH out of his mind.  So..later.. :)

Everyone chipped in...yep..everyone except Mele' and I!

I now have a beam across my family room separating the dining from the fireplace area.  

Next is the wallpaper, which has arrived.

However..I had injured my knee by the time the paper arrived so I was totally out of commission and..so was my wallpaper hanger, Ray.  He had climbed a new ladder trying it out and it collapsed on him, breaking three of his toes on his left foot.  So... :)  It all worked out.  I mean I am NOT happy about his being injured, but I'm pleased that I didn't interfere with his work schedule.

There is a LOT to move in this room and even though Ray moves the furniture..I need to move everything breakable, take down drapes and blinds and pictures..etc.  So..We should be ready soon.

I was hoping before Thanksgiving.  Hoping..yep..

Next comes the wallpaper and who knows what else.  And I know I also need to rethink those lamps!  It looks junky right now..but it won't.
I need to get rid of the one by the wall.  A friend wants it anyway.

As you can see, this room gets lots and lots of light, so I think the plaid wallpaper will be fine.

(I hope!)

I just realized recently that ..once that wallpaper is up..I won't like those chairs..which were never my favorites.  The light makes them look fuchsia.  They aren't..it's the light and my camera seems to do that all on it's own??  I wonder why that is??.  New furniture is NOT in the cards right now.  Beside, that would give my sweet PH a heart attack.  Not because of the price but because of the upheavel.  He hates that! :)

Look..aren't these cute.  My granddaughter in law bought them for me for my birthday!  Little nut or candy dishes for the season!   SO cute!

The living room is pretty clear..not much going on there..just a witch and a crow...

The flower arrangement on this little side table has black roses in it..but.. of course I cut them off so you can't see them!

:( 

The beautiful pale yellow afghan on the back of the chair.  An ebay find for ten dollars...Lovely!

.....and a few velvet pumpkins..I bought these the same day I bought the front door wreath.

 The family room always has my little scarecrow couple every year.  An artist on ebay made them.  I had to bid on them and got lucky..For some reason they had not been discovered..   Hand made items like this are treasures.  The flower arrangement on the floor belongs on the dining room table.  It's now outside on the patio table!    Another case of perfect staging!!! :(

 Full view of the coffee table in the living room.  Purple spiders and a skull added the coffee table centerpiece..and that's fine.  Purple roses at a bit of Halloween too.  Oh..and a fat rat helps too!

That's all I have...

Thank you so much for coming to visit..  I appreciated it so much.  

I  am going to try and get back to fairly regular blogging...I've missed it.  

I have letters to write too.  

Love and hugs..

Mona

~JUST (ALMOST) IN THE NICK OF TIME...

I used my mantel for my banner.  

This years decorationing for Fall has been a wee bit of a struggle but at least I finally got something done!

My new wreath is a wicked bit of decor, isn't it? 

I finally got it all up and it's almost time to take it all down!  

S'okay...at least I got it up.

I want to whine about how hard it was to get any of my Halloween UP..but I won't.
*sigh* I'll just  *sigh* suffer in silence...  (which of course you KNOW is a bunch of baloney!)
I hobbled around a bit but with help from PH, it's done.

I found my wreath in the neatest little shop..and ended up buying more than intended.  I bought the wreath AND the little door hanger.

Anything to do with Witches makes me grin!

This little door hanger has SO much detail..had to have it...I mean it was just a "little" thing and
PH gave me some birthday money!
I have to tell you this...the neatest thing happened.  One of my granddaughters asked if one
day she might inherit my Halloween collection..made me feel so good!  I said "Of course!" and she will.  

I want to say haunted houses are so much fun..but..not so sure any more.  

The list of things that happen in our sweet little home ..is growing and growing.

Funny how you can get used to things happening...like screams in the night, and melting jewelry and just little stuff like that.  :)
Don't be too sure I'm joking.... :)

Not sure what I was going to do with that little glass pumpkin down there under the table....will I never learn to "stage" before I begin snapping away with my camera?

No..probably not...

LOOK! LOOK!  No, no it wasn't me that hung the Halloween garland made of burlap and detailed with this and that...it was ... Patient Husband!  Of course!

I think hobbling around from piece of furniture to piece of furniture and otherwise using a cane..I really think he felt sorry for me.  

No need.  I felt sorry enough for myself!!

A visit to the Orthopedic PA, a few little white pills and I'm darn near as good as new.

I said  "darn near!"

My sister blogger friend, Tessa of  HERE THERE BE MUSING and I are in the same "knee injury" boat!  Does misery love company?

LOL ... but of course! :)

Big hugs and love,

Mona

~ROUNDING A CORNER IN MY LIFE...

First, I want to say that it has been so sad hearing on the news of the floods.  What a terrible thing to happen..and the lost ship.  

A bit of rain in California but not enough to do a lot of good.  Still, it was wonderful to hear it on the roof and to fall asleep with it pattering away!

I must count my blessings.  

So..

Tomorrow I will begin my 80th year on this earth.  In other words, I will have completed my 79th year of life and will begin living my 80th.  So it is my 79th birthday.  I never thought of it that way before and when I did, it set me back on my heels a bit! :)
I've had misfortune, had my heart broken by loss, but I've really been fortunate too.   I have had love.

Lots of it.

Loved by three wonderful husbands, by seven sweet children and fourteen grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

I told you about my new great grandson, Ethan Daniel, born in August,  but  I don't think I told you about the wonderful phone call I received a few days ago.  Granddaughter Rachel is expecting and 

great grandchild #9 is on the way.  We will know next month if it will be a baby girl or boy.  March is the expected time he or she will arrive.  

This is an exciting time. 

That will make 23 grandchildren altogether.  

Makes me smile. 

The thing is, they are all GOOD and kind people.  

I have two wonderful brothers and a sister.  All younger.  My brother and his wife arrived from New Hampshire!  We had a wonderful visit and hard to see them leave.

We both know the time of traveling long distances is coming to an end.

We promised to see one another again soon.

We always do that....

  Wish me luck, I'm rounding corner this year.. :)  I'll be sure and let you know what it feels like.

yep.  I will.

Big hugs and love,

Mona

p.s.  I was not going to mention this birthday.  I wanted to just let it go by but then I thought.."wait!

There might not be another?  I should make the most of this one.   I should be glad of it, thankful."...then I laughed at myself, and decided to have all of you celebrate with me. Okay?

"I WANT ONE OF THESE..."

Part of the mystery is solved.  Anyone's blog name put in the search bar comes up with your blog and many of your posts. 

I found some of my pictures on Pinterest from this search page.

Balisha's address...I've no idea  but  perhaps it was on one of my posts and they just kept adding it.

Who knows.  

Amazing what one can learn when one remains CALM!!!  Sheesh!!

(I admit to a tiny bit of paranoia! :)

I think this would be so cute on that little peak on our roof.  Why don't I do it?

Because I'm chicken.  I don't want my neighbors looking at me strangely, although they probably already do, or burning me at the stake.  Maybe nothing so drastic but..why make waves..

I know Joyce wouldn't give a rap...at least I don't think she would...but every year I get closer to buying one and having it put up there.  

LOVE Halloween...

The first year I lived here...I put my witch collection out as always...but it made me a bit nervous because I was new in the family.  Who knows what they thought.  Now I do it every year.

So..should I do this..or shouldn't I?

I've a feeling that most out there  would not.

But...but...I think it would look so cute..and I enjoy Halloween so much..

I don't remember where I saw this Fall cake..but I'm glad I saved the picture of it.

I know it was back when I first began blogging and had NO idea I was supposed to give credit where credit was due.  :)  If it's yours...just yell.  

Can you imagine a  Fall wedding with a wedding cake like this?  I can!

A Fall flower bouquet.with mums, trailing  ivy and.....ahhhhh...lovely.  Can't you see it all now?

Love,

Mona

~..AN ODD THING..

Tonight I'm busy trying to find my way in the new Windows 10.  Just finding my blog is a trick in itself. I would go into the details..but it's not important.  

Example..if I am on AOL..and go to my blog..I cannot download photo's  on my blog.  I must exit AOL  and find my blog on Google..never mind..it's complicated.

Here is the point.

Tonight, while looking for my blog, I typed my blog name into the tool bar on AOL..and my blog came up..BUT...now this is the strange part and if you have an answer..please, please put my mind at ease and tell me what you think.

The name of my blog..and the name of  each of my posts shows up and on each of these are the words..

.(.something like this...)

"write to me on "Simply Balisha" and gives the email address of Balisha.  Balisha passed away some months ago..and it was a shock  to all of us who had followed her and cared about her.  

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??  Did someone do this?  If so, HOW did they do it??  It isn't just on there once...oh no..it's on there over and over.  

I do not even know Balisha's on line address...

I cannot bring myself to even try out that "address"  to try and see what happens.  I'm spooked that someone would do this.

Do any of you know anything about this?

I don't understand and it's upsetting.  

How do I get it off the internet..I don't even know how to fix this.

HELP!

Love,

Mona

~TOUCHY SUBJECT~

I am used to being open and up front with my friends.  We usually chat on with no worry about offending.  What happens when old friends, those known to us for years and years, those you raised your children around, have been so close to and shared so much, suddenly seems almost like a stranger.   

It seems that we have to be so careful, not only with what we blog about..but how we talk and what we share with close friends.   

I am going through that with a dear friend of mine..one that I have known for about 50 years.

Yes...THAT long.

She is going to meetings, lots of them..and during our conversation tonight..she mentioned some of what they are pushing at these meetings.

Several times during our phone conversation we found ourselves on such completely different pages that we fell silent.  Not for long of course..we love one another.  Were in our late teens when we met.  I believe she was 18 and I was 19 and just beginning our little families.

I guess the reason I am writing this is because it's troublesome.  

Another case some months back,  is  one where I made a connection on Classmates.com.  A lovely woman..who was a beautiful child when we were in high school.  We wrote to one another...so glad to find someone who remembered all the people we remembered.  Then it happened.

A "hate mail" appeared in my email ..and as I read it..I could feel the shock..and then a sort of cold disbelieving fear sweep over me as I read.  The letter was so full of hatred, name calling of our elected officials, etc...that I just sat stunned.  I got on the computer and wrote to my "classmate," told her I had received and read her letter...and to please, please, never contact me again for any reason..signed my name and that was that.  I said this nicely.  Very nicely.  

My hands were shaking.

Yes..I know this goes on..and that I am not the only one but to me..it's very disturbing.

I do not easily just brush off that sort of thing.  She accused people of  horrific things.  Thankfully this is not a common occurrance ..at least I hope not.  Maybe it is more common than I know.

Everyone has a right to their opinions...everyone!  And I also have a right to turn away for the hatred.

I have to wonder what causes this.  

I wonder at our growing more and more alienated from one another in our country.and even within our families.  

We can stay away from certain subjects with our "friends" but when this has never been the case because of how close your friendship is, it's hard.

It's very difficult for me.  

Another post with no pictures ...

I've had the beam put up in the family room...did I tell you? :)  I have to show you...and If I've  already told you..then I won't tell you again about  my beautiful beam!  :)

Love,

Mona

~MISSING~

I know I've been a bad blogger.  There are times when I think we are just overwhelmed with life..good or bad, it can become that way.  Overwhelming.

It became an effort just to get from one room to the next...but I'm slowly getting better.

This is the first time I have really felt my age.  Inactivity from a bum knee is probably the cause.

  That amazing little shot sure helped.  

The tiny girl in my header is Emily...my great granddaughter.  I am searching for my pictures..and then AOL said they were getting rid of their picture storage so to find another place and suggested one I was not familiar with..

made me want to cry. 

Do you ever feel inadequate on the computer?

I DO!

You see, I downloaded Window's 10 and if I thought I had troubles before that slowed me down..it was nothing to what I have now.  

Lost my pictures..

Lost my favorites.

I finally did find my address book, once..now I can't remember how I did it!

So many things I cannot figure out.   I think if I had been feeling better, I may have been more patient and would not have panicked like I did.  It has been emotionally tiring to try to figure things out.

What possessed me to be think "upgrading" was going me make things easier..I have no idea.

I am just not computer literate enough to pick up on things like that.  

NOT BY A LONG SHOT.  

Think I'll go to bed.  

~WHAT A RIDE IT'S BEEN...

It's one thing I would do all over again.  I would have all seven of my children.  What a joy they have been.
 It's days like July 12th that make it all worth everything.
What a life!  I mean it.  I would do it all again.  I 'm so grateful!

Great grandchild #8, Ethan Daniel Duffy.  Born August 12, 2015

What a wonderful way to be awakened!  My eighth great grandchild has been born!

My eldest grandson, Adam, his wife Cristina and great granddaughter Emily.    Tiny Ethan Daniel is just five hours old.

Born Wednesday morning at 6 AM.  

Here is my son..and his wife Cheryl seeing their new grandson for the very first time.  Yep..that full bearded gentleman with the gleam in his eyes is my Patrick.  My first born.  

This old white haired lady walked into the room and insisted on holding my great grandson.

The nerve!!

:)

What a happy day for all of us.  I hear the heavens gave a light show to help us celebrate.

A tiny Duffy boy!!  

Go ahead..ask me if I'm happy!!  

Love,

Mona

~A WARNING...~

Be very careful what you say you will NEVER, EVER, do again!  For me this seems to always be EXACTLY what I do.  When will I ever learn?  At this stage of my life, probably....never.

This past Saturday started out ..lovely.  Daughter #3 and dear son in law came to pick us up and take out to breakfast..and then perhaps if there was time..why..we would just cruise around and see if there were any garage sales.  

I'll cut right to the facts.

I swore to myself that I would never buy another bird.  They live a long, long time..and besides I did not want to clean a cage and vacuum up bird seeds ever again.  

Right!

We stopped at a garage sale and the next thing I remember was bringing these little guys home in a tiny white cage...

You see...I have lots of cages at home.  

*sigh*

My patient husband just looked at me when I got in the car..along with worried looking daughter who had had the good sense to go ask her husband if she could buy one and he emphatically said NO and that was that.  I didn't ask.  Yes, yes, I know I should have..but, I mean, he wasn't paying for them, he wasn't going to have to take care of them and I just couldn't see why, under the circumstances, I should have to "ask"...

So..I didn't.  

So far he hasn't asked me for a divorce..but..he did softly say "I thought you were NEVER, EVER, going to have any more birds!"  

You see, the dear man has not been married to me that long.  Otherwise he would NEVER, EVER, have said that.

The same thing happened when I had my children...I wanted two..just two and when the seventh one was born...well..never mind.  You get the idea.

All I'm saying is BE CAREFUL!!  

Love,

Mona

~SUMMERTIME BLESSINGS....

First, I want to tell you, before I move on to another "header"..that Lilly, my dear blogger friend in Canada, sent me those adorable little items in my header..the tiny tools, butterfly net and aren't those itty bitty gardening gloves just adorable?  Thank you, Lilly!   

I LOVE Summer, even if it is miserably hot!

Two Sundays ago, we were invited to my daughter's home for a seafood dinner and that same day we were hit by the mother of all California storms!  Bad!  Thunder, lightening, branches flying and nearly hitting our car as we headed up the hill to daughter  Erin's home.  We had slowed to nearly a stop and came to a complete stop a couple of times.  

I called to let them know we were on our way, but slowly..and needless to say, my family became anxious.  I mean we are rather older folks, to put it mildly. :)

Homemade ice cream and cake for dessert!  Even listening to the ice cream maker hum was a Summertime sound!

When we arrived we found my son in law all wet, waiting out front with two umbrella's for us.

Inside were two wet women who had been waiting for us until son in law discovered them and sent them back to their cooking and took up the wait.  

Ever had your heart swell with love and gratefulness for the blessings that we are fortunate enough to have?  That's how I felt seeing Jimmy waiting for us with the wind and rain soaking him.  Hugging those wet people....was almost too much for me and it was hard not to cry!

I am one lucky woman!  

Love,

Mona

~I SAW WHAT YOU DID....

I thought I would share a short story with you.  I am still shaking my head over this one.

Some neighbors across the street and down one house have moved, and they have been coming back daily, painting, new floors, landscaping etc.  readying the home for sale.  It's been so hot and it has not been pleasant for them.

In the evening we sit out on the porch when it isn't too hot and enjoy just chatting.  Often the woman across the street and her ten year old little girl, join me.  

The man who owns the home in question and his son, had worked another full day and gone home.  

Suddenly the neighbor woman on the far side of the empty home came waddling over and appeared to be curious as what was happening to the house, which is what happens when a long time neighbor moves away.

As we watched (it's dark on our porch, very shady and we are not visible from the sidewalk, let alone from across the street) she crossed her yard into theirs and dug around in  a cardboard box sitting on the porch, pulling out plastic sheeting which she started to take to her yard but instead glanced around, stepped up onto their porch again and  walked off with a large shovel.  One of those scoop shovels which was leaning against the wall.  She examined it a moment, looked up and down the street again and proceeded to take it to her house and through the gate into her back yard!

We decided that perhaps I should call the people who own the home to let them know, just in case it was something that was important to them, and tell them where it was.  I felt funny doing it, like a nosy neighbor...but they had given me their number just in case.   I thought it might not be anything important OR they had given it to her OR she took it to save for them..or whatever.

When I called they said they had not given her their shovel..so today they asked her if she had it.  I rather thought she would tell them she was afraid someone would steal it, but no.  When asked about the shovel, she denied ever having seen it.  THREE of us saw her take it into her back yard.  She plain lied to the man's face.  He didn't argue with her or tell her who told him.  He just said he had perhaps been given false information.  

This woman that took the shovel and her family are not the most desirable neighbors...but they have not bothered me.  .

I guess the thing is, I just cannot believe a neighbor would take ..no, STEAL, from their next door neighbors they had known for  years...long before I ever came to live here.

I wanted to march  right up to her door

 and tell her we SAW her take the darned shovel!!!   

I wanted to go right then tell her that three of us saw her take that shovel..but the man said   "I just want to finish and leave.  Let her have it and I don't want to leave knowing you may have problems later because of it.  

I suppose he was right.  But still.  

If one will steal, one will do anything.

Perhaps he is right to let it go.  She must be very sad indeed to do such a thing.

What makes people do things like that!  I know it goes on..but to watch it happen right in your neighborhood is upsetting.  

Would you have confronted the woman?  I wanted to.  I still want to, but he may be right.
What would you do?

****************

This was longer than I wanted it to be..sorry. :)

Love,

Mona 

~SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO FACE IT...

...and give it the old college try.

 I know it's been awhile and a dear friend suggested I "say something" so my blogger friends will know I'm alive. :)

The thing is that sometimes in life, the well runs dry and I suppose that's what happened to me.

I have so much catching up to do that it's overwhelming! 

I've loved blogging, I really have, but somehow I seem to have lost my enthusiasm for it.

And...I can't find it.

Believe me, I've looked!

I still enjoy reading .and visiting..but I think my everyday life has come into focus and I am realizing how quickly the time is racing by.  I have friends, family and slowing down has had an effect on doing the things I once did.  

Blogging is just one of them.

With my family

it's .."Can Mom walk that far?"  or "Won't she get tired of standing in line?"  that sort of thing...and they are totally right.  It's hard on me anymore.

It saddens me that I can do so little in the yard before I give in and head for the lawn swing and collapse into a little pool of worn out human.  Relief sweeps over me.  Before long I'm dozing while my clippers and gloves lay there on the table, one glove on the stone floor signaling how fast I yanked them off!

I keep thinking it will pass, and the days go by.  I used to shop the mall and it was so exciting, drifting in and out of the stores, seeing all the pretties I would love to buy.

Now?

I don't care.  

My soft old sweat pants and cozy T's and comfortable old slippers are just fine.

Hair gets wadded up and clipped to the back of my head.

Sometimes I MAKE myself put on a bit of blush and then walk away in disgust.

No, it's not self pity.  It's just plain acceptance.  It would not matter if I lost a bunch of weight, dyed my hair and fiddled around trying to make this aging face look...a little better.  It's what it is.

I've arrived in the elderly department...and it's really not so bad.  Not at all.

I just told the BIGGEST LIE!  Some day's it really DOES matter.

I still like to decorate.

Go to garage sales..sometimes.

Have company over...sometimes.

It's just that sitting in my comfy desk chair and suddenly realizing that a couple of hours have zoomed by while I visit, comment and get lost in what I really enjoy doing.  Blogging.  It's been so much fun.  I've really  enjoyed every minute. 

Until now.

I'm trying to get my motor started again..but it keeps stalling.

This is a stuttering try..

I know I'm not the only one that goes through being relieved to walk away from the computer.

Like right now..

Bedtime.

I think sometimes we just plain get tired.

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Love,

Mona

Thank you for gently encouraging me...and for your understanding

You know who you are.  :)

~UNITED WE STAND..HAPPY JULY 4TH~

Every July 4th is meaningful, but this year seems especially important.  I hope we remember how important it is that we stand united and not always so divided.  So many have died in the name of freedom.

I love this country and would rather live here than any place in the world.  I hope I live to see us  really live in peace and tranquility and not have to live in fear.

"Fear not...."  

Remember those words.  

Have a happy and safe July 4th.

Love,

Mona

~COFFEE WITH NEIGHBOR'S IN THE 1950'S~

I wish I could say that my down time from blogging has helped me come up with something amazing, or at least interesting, but it has not.

I guess the heat and being cooped up inside for days at a time has had something to do with it..but it probably hasn't.  

What have I been doing?  Well, I've been reading, watching a TV show on my Kindle, that I'm ashamed to tell you, has me hooked 

One thing I did think about telling you, is something that began when I was first married.

I used to hide it.  I did!  Back in the 50's and 60's young wives in new neighborhoods used to gather in the morning at someone's home for coffee.  

Looking back it was probably not such a great idea as they often turned into gossip sessions.  I think I was the subject of much of the gossip as soon as I walked out the door..especially later as the babies came.   It was fun for awhile..but I found myself pretending certain things. 

One of the things I pretended, or at least went along with, was that I hated housework. 

 I didn't.  Unlike the other wives, I loved it so I kept it secret.

Even today, a recent comment was made by someone about being glad they didn't have to dust my stuff and called my home cluttered. and they were right on the mark.  To that person it probably is.

It was just like back the the 1950's. All these many years later and there  is the same remark.

So there it is.  I love to clean.

I love the way clean, cool floors felt under my feet, how pretty things looked when I walked from room to room.

I surround myself with people I love.   I also surround myself with  things I love.  I don't consider it clutter.  :) It probably is though. 

We used to wax our floors, sometimes with paste wax but then the liquid waxes came out and commercials sang their praises..and showed neat little housewives in "house dresses" and heels looking neat as a pin, waxing away, all smiles.  Peddle pushers and jeans were my outfits even back in the 50's.

So..I guess I am a "closet cleaner" and I still love cleaning.  The years have taught me all sorts of shortcuts, and now I have things so much easier.  The floors no longer need to gleam and your clothes don't have to be the whitest on the clothesline. 

  No, really, they were, and there was a reason for that.   No automatic washers and dryers back then

and clothes went out on the clothesline for all to see. I have to smile remembering the lines full of baby diapers. 

Here's the reason my clothes were so white.  Certainly nothing I did.

Purely accidental. 

We bought a little white wringer washer..with rollers..and on the side was a "shift" with a little red cherry like knob on top.  I LOVED that little washing machine.  The reason my clothes were so white is that it ran and ran until I went in and stopped it which sometimes ran into a couple of hours.  ..so my clothes got a real good scrubbing.  It's no darned wonder they were so white. I'm probably lucky there was anything left of them.  

Nice to be out of the closet.  Now, back to work!

Love,

Mona

P.S.  I just wanted to add, I'm going to hire a housekeeper soon.  You know, just for the heavy stuff?

 :):)

~COUNTIN' FLOWERS ON THE WALL...

..that don't bother me at all...

smokin' cigarette's and watchin' Captain Kangaroo,

now don't tell me...

I've nothin' to do...

Now..don't tell me...

I've nothin' to do...

:)

That song keeps popping into my head lately and I've NO idea why!!

BIG HUGS!

Mona

P. S.   Does that song date me or what?  The 1970'  or was it the 60's?  Oh, and I've never smoked in my life.  :)