~ WHY DON'T WE LISTEN....~

HE speaks to us every day...so why don't we listen?

When I'm supposed to be sleeping is when I think of things I want to do.  I've even been tempted to get up and go turn on the outside lights and do things in the middle of the night..in my pj's...and it's just plain silly!

 

So..last night..or rather at 4 this morning, I began to think what I could do with that little Fairy House I love......

I've been putting this off until tomorrow ..for ages.. 

I bought some sheet moss...

 

..so this morning I got out the glue gun..and scissors..and the sheet moss I bought.

 

I laid it on the little roof and cut the moss to fit..then hot glued it down. 

 

MUCH better!  Now to touch up the trim..add some tiny vines...maybe tomorrow

 

Yes..much, better..

 

Do you see the lantern..it hanging haphazardly under the arbor..because I had lost the hook it had been hanging on in all that growth.  I'll look for it tomorrow..

 



Then when I took this picture and enlarged it...I SAW IT!  See that metal hook there through the greenery to the right of the little window...it's brown... YIPPEE!...so, I DON'T have to look for it tomorrow!

 

So I ran right out and retrieved it and hung the lantern back where it belonged. 

 

I need to REMOVE the pink faux flowers on the arbor.  NO unreal flowers in our garden!  That's just plain ugly!!

Tomorrow...I'll do it tomorrow!  

 

 

 See all the gardening I have to catch up on?  The little stone path is all overgrown, the hen and chicks plant and all the other pots are all out of place..lots of work to do and that little Fairy there is NO help at all.  She just sits and looks at me helplessly.

She said she would help me..tomorrow..

And the kitty...Where is that kitty??

She better watch her tiny steps, because I've been shopping around..and there are some mighty pretty little Fairy's out there.  Would I do that??

 (no..but she doesn't know it!)

 

Yep..lots to be done still...and Mele's no help either! 

 

Mele, get your little furry fanny over here and help me!

No,  don't tell me you'll do it tomorrow!  I NEVER put anything off until tomorrow!

 

I just LOVE it when I finally finish a project.  I really, really do!!

 

Lov'n hugs,

Mona

 

P.S.  The other Fairy Garden (Cockroach Haven?) is still sitting around the corner...waiting..waiting...for me to stop doing something I never, ever do.  Procrastinate.

 

OKLAHOMA!  Please put shelters in your schools!  Do NOT procrastinate!

LISTEN when HE speaks to us!



~TIRED ME AND BIG TREE'S~

Tonight's dinner was SO simple.  I just sat at my desk and finished up yesterday's left over's from Irelands graduation dinner.  I was so involved with the party that I forgot to take pictures.

This might not look so great..but it was delicious.  Finger food for big people who want to read blogs and not eat their dinner in the conventional way.  What is it?  Well, it's BBQ fresh pineapple, steak, chicken, cherry tomatoes and in short ..a shish kabob off it's stick! 

 

The base of this California Coastal Redwood is now taking up two of those trunk protectors. 

Daughter, Erin, was here last night and looked at the trees....

 

...and said "Mom, you DO know that those tree's have reached the end of their alloted space..don't you??"   Of COURSE  knew!  What did she think..I was blind??

 

A neighbor across and down the street one house, has these same ferns in her flower bed in front.

The other day I got a shock when I noticed that she had whacked them off so that they reminded me of a boy's 1950's flat top haircut.  I mean...what in the world was she thinking and don't tell me that everyone does things differently!  It looks terrible and I will take a picture if I get a chance just to show you.  I mean..WHY???   :)  It takes all kinds I  guess.  But...you're right!  They're her ferns!  Sheesh!!

 

That's it for today.  The graduation party was a success and my tiny great grandson took his very first steps in front of our home with all the family cheering him on!  Daughter took pictures...but me? Oh well, as usual I was caught up in the moment and didn't get a single picture of anything or anyone.  Have to depend on daughter for pictures...and that's PIE IN THE SKY!  (same daughter that told me my trees had "outgrown" their space!  Grrrr..I hate it when she is right!!

 

Can you tell I'm tired??

Nite nite!

 

p.s.  She also told me I gave a utube moment when I decided to ride down our driveway (it's slanted) in my husbands old desk chair that rolls!  Not at all sure what I was thinking....but worked great and I didn't have to stand on a board!!  I did however have to be rescued before I hit the street... probably saved me from breaking my hip!



~WORTH THE PAIN?~

Absolutely!!

Mercy, but it feels good to finally finish a project!  I haven't done much painting of LARGE places and I really dreaded this, but once I was into it..I really enjoy it!  I loved the final results.

Keeping busy keeps me sane!
 

I pulled out the medium ladder, PH got out the house paint and I masked it all off and got it done in a couple of hours.  What was neat was near the end when my arm and legs were beginning to give out, I came back out from a potty run to find PH up there doing the top edge where I was struggling.

I gave the shutters a fresh coat too. 

(Another goal is to have a larger flower box under that window one day!)

 

The trim on the garage door a couple of weeks ago...

How would a couple of potted evergreens do on each side of the garage door???  Shhhh..don't tell PH!

...and the front window a couple of weeks before that.

I really like the red trim with the rustic little front porch. 

 

I captured a picture of Mele on the back of the couch..barely!  That's her favorite perch so I have a little quilt over the back of the couch.  I didn't use the flash as I thought that might be the part of picture taking that alarms her....or..maybe not...

 



That's all I have today.  Nothing of great interest..I guess I'm just fishing for compliments on all that painting.  I know, I know, not good..but I need something to help me feel like all the pain in my legs, arms, and BACK was WORTH it!  Do you think all that red will be noticed?  :) 

Pain pills are going to be part of my diet for the next couple of days! 

 

Big graduation dinner here this evening.  Granddaughter, Ireland graduated from College last night.

It's been a long road..but sweet daughter Mary and her husband Brock have all three through college!

Good job!! 

 

Love,

Mona



~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!