The Secret Flower Garden

Making Soap

2011-01-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

Ok so that picture was taken in October 2010....pay no attention to that calendar. LOL!! This was my first batch of homemade lye soap. Notice no long sleeves? Not a good thing! Everything is covered but my arms. This very first batch taught me real fast to use long sleeves. Oh and also "DO NOT" take your gloves off and touch the glove that has soap splashed on it! I have no fingerprint on my right hand. But its just one finger so I have been very careful since. That first batch has turned into a million slabs of soap. (Okay I may be exaggerating on the million but it feels like it) The first batches were hot process soap which is so much different than the cold process. I will explain more later on this topic. Right now I am headed to bed. Its been another soap day for me!

Here I am again!!

2011-01-12T18:45:00.000-08:00

It is day two and I am still around. I think that its cold outside!! Brrr.....!!! Of course we have a woodstove and for some reason I have it cranked up so I am sitting here sweating wondering how I am going to sleep. Hmmm.....maybe I will turn the air on......no!!! Not much going on around here today I worked and came home! After tomorrow I work and am off for 4 days!!! I will be making soap!!! Well I will check back in tomorrow!!

Gosh its been a long time!!!!

2011-01-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

You know this is just crazy for me to think I could keep a blog up, work 36 hours a week at the job that pays me, plant and harvest veggies, sell them, sell plants and ya know what that's not the half of it. My mom always said, "Watch out Arlene Time Flys!". And you know what? It does!!! It just a shame!!! I have not only taken on a new project I have also become obsessed with it!!!! I make handmade soap now...yep...lye soap just like mom always made...well that is until Ivory came out then she would get some money together to buy the Ivory. My passion has gone to the point that people really love it and they return for more!! The picture above is one of my favorite, oh heck they are all my favorite!!! It is, "Green Ocean Mist". It is sitting tucked away waiting to make its grand entrance in another week or so. So if some of you wonder where I have been...just take a look. I have been soaping! Please check out my sites and let me know what you think. I promise there is more where that came from. So I sure hope I can get in here more often.......opps did I mention that I travel to Craft Fairs around my area? Yep love them and love the people I meet. Well I am beat for the day so off I go to prop my feet up and dream of soap.

Yesterday was very interesting.

2010-05-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

I worked here at my home yesterday. My husband put signs up for me and I had a plant sale. I was so happy to see a lot of people here at once. Actually kinda scared me at first. So that feeling passed fast. I was busy cleaning out the cold frame. There were several of my plants that did not make it for some reason or another. And at the same time talking with many people that came buy and bought stuff. So after all that was over I got myself cleaned up and went outside by the pond to get some, "me" time. The toads and frogs were singing and signing. Finally got a picture of one when he was blown up. What a site to see. Look at the way those eyes are. Fantastic!! Then I had to take a picture of my pond.

Finally ready for Spring!

2010-04-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that when its winter you can sit an image all those things you need to do when it gets warm and then you forget them? I swear today was no exception for me! I would start one thing then head for another and then go over here and then go over there!! Gesh!! But I can not complain to much I love being outside. I make a list and then forget that and head over here!! So here is a couple more pics for you all!! I am tired and headed for my recliner......or maybe.....do something else!!! Oh dear stop the madness!

Oh dear Mother Nature has been busy!

2010-04-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

And I am sure all of you are too. I love Spring!! I love warm weather and I love my plants and the harvesting also. One thing I have learned after all these years is Mother Nature is in contro not me. I feel like she is being really good to my land this year so far. I was out today weeding and making paths thru the woods when I saw more Jack in the Pulipts than I have ever seen in my life. Lots of trilium and I saw a few May Apples!! I am so excited!! I do have a few pics of some things. But need to get some of the Jack in the Pulpits and Triliums soon!! The following are only a few of the things that are happening here in West Virginia!

Finches have turned Yellow!

Wisteria Lane

A few things in my Cold Frame!

Fish that have slept threw Winter.


A Toad in my flower bed!

I have been working!!!

2010-03-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well lets just say that I have been so busy I had to make notes to tell me where my notes were!! LOL!! Planting, raking blowing and filling things up. I took a few flower pictures that I just adore. I got this cool little point and click camera its a cannon power shot SD78IS and its the best camera I have ever had. So wanted to share a few of those pics with you all.

You can see the pollen on the Hellobores (Lenten Rose) and I could not resist the other two pics!!

Glad the weekends over.

2010-03-15T19:51:00.001-07:00

Only because I had to work all weekend at the place that pays me. We work 12 hours shifts and it is long and sometimes very stressful but hey I need to work and am gratful for a job. Okay lets see I have been planting today again. I planted lavender, white sage, strawberries and some more basil. I am surrounded by cups of dirt with seeds in them!! And you know what? I love it!!! I am very excited about growing the lavender. I have hope that it will grow an dbe strong and produce lots of lavender for me and others.

A time to plant.

2010-03-11T15:09:00.000-08:00

Well for me its that time of year. My husband and I always start a cold frame filled with plants to sell at the Flea Market. Plus we keep a few for ourselves. We have several people that buy from us regularly now. So this will be my extra income when I retire from the job that pays me.

I started some Sweet Basil and Purple Basil in these pots. They are already starting to pop their heads thru the surface. I also put lavender, white sage and strawberries. Does anyone know how "small" strawberry seeds are? So I am very excited about them they are coming thru the soil too. Mt husband is always in charge of the veggies. I do not have the patience to plant them. He takes his time and drills holes with a pen and picks them out one by one and puts them in the holes.....oh my I am tired thinking about it. The "Diva" Cuck he planted is already to the top of the dome. So looks like some transplanting will be in order this weekend for him. Oh I just love Spring!! The end of my vacation is tomorrow. I return to work on Saturday! But that does not stop me from planting and playing!

What a busy time I have had!!!

2010-03-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

The weather here in West Virginia has been so nice. Sunny and in the 60's so that brings me into a work outside mode. Which is what I have been doing. I have made a cold frame for my veggies and flowers. Getting ready for plant sales is a lot of work but so far I am not complaining! I love working with nature and love natural things. I have been on a roller coaster though and really hate when that happens. The roller coaster ride is because I really wish I was able to stop working at the job that pays me. But that is not feasable for several years. So enough about that. I am gratful I have a job and a little side business too. I feel for those that do not have job. I have got to get some pics in here of the cold frame and will do that real soon. It is suppose to rain on Thursday so maybe hten!! Well gotta go for now!! Take care world!!

Vacation from the place that pays me.

2010-03-05T20:51:00.001-08:00

I am so glad to be off work. Although this has been a very busy couple of days. I have made 24 jars of face scrub for my sale along with 24 bottles of pillow spray. Yep been busy. My husband and I finally got out plants planted today. Well at least most of them. I have a few pics of this process but do not have the energy to look for my camera. Wanted to check in here and see how things are going. I was so excited today when I saw a "crocus" coming up at my front porch!! Yeeeeaaaaa........... hawwwww...... Spring is in the air!!

Opps I do have a picture.

What a giveaway!!!

2010-02-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

Darla on http://mycountryblogofthisandthat.blogspot.com/2010/02/spring-give-away.html
is giving a lot of Spring things away and I love it. Of course my name is in the basket but wanted to share this with you all too. So head on over there and join her blog and put your name in the basket too.

I have been busy!

2010-02-23T12:51:00.000-08:00

Mostly busy inside my head. Which that can be very scry. I will spare you the details of the scary. LOL!!! I have been organizing by plants for sale. Cleaning changing soil getting bugs off them!! And this gives me great joy.
Or should I say it makes February go faster! I have also been making some face scrubs to sell at the Flea Market. I got the recipes from http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2010/02/09/make-your-own-brown-sugar-scrub/ Suzanne has such a wonderful blog. So thank you Suzanne for the recipes!!! And also for the inspirtation to do something besides sit here and complain that its cold outside! LOL!!I have been trying to put a picture in here but its not working!!! Hmmm....come on Google!!! I have planted 4 small pots of Dwarf Sunflowers. I am very excited about them. Next thing to do this afternoon is plant some sage and avender for transplating outside. I read where they help keep deer out of the garden!!! LOL!! Hey I used to hang "Iris Spring" soap fromt he trees to keep them out so a few beautiful plants will probably look better than green soap hanging fromt he trees!! So off I go to plant the lavender and sage!!

Snow snow everywhere!!!

2010-02-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

The snow aka blizzard we got reminded me of when I was a child. The only exception is I did not have to get to work in it. I was actually very scared to drive in it but I faced my fear and I did it. I had to stay one night at work. But the next day I came home. That is the day of the blizzard. Driving home was so weird. No one wason the roads. Well except me and thats when I knew I had lost my mind. But like a survivor I kept going and going. I had my camera but did not get andy pictures of that ride I was too busy watching the empty road and gripping the stearing wheel. Gesh I was a mess!! We are suppose to get more snow Monday boy I can't wait!!

Three of my babies were waiting fo rme to get home! My poor dog Phoebe was waiting for me too. The mailman may never come here again!! Actually I have not seen a snow plow yet on our road. Wonder where they are? When we leave our driveway its one lane and very bumpy. (Where is Spring?)

I had to add a bird feeder on th eporch because I could not get to my regular feeders they were in 3 feet of snow!! To much work for me to go there. But we are all nice and warm. I am getting ready to relax for the evening. Hope everyone does the same thing. Will post more photos tomorrow!!

Blizard of 2010 February

2010-02-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

My vehicle and my husbands.

We ended up with about 29 inches of snow. IT was so pretty and tiring.

My poor Phoebe was buried in the snow the next morning. But we shoveled and blew snow and shiveled some more. We both made it to work today!! We are expecting another 10 inches tomorrow.

Eastern BlueBirds are back!!!

2010-02-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

Isn't that one a Robin? The one up above ^^!

Of course a woodpecker!! Downy I believe!

Hmmmm..........I wonder!!! Its almost midnight and I am unable to sleep. I swear I work too many differant hours and my body never knows what to do!! Hey maybe that explains some things. So I decided to post a few pictures I have taken in the past few days! These little guys are beautiful!!! I only saw two of them. This one looks like a young one.

A beautiful frozen day.

2010-01-29T13:10:00.000-08:00

Everything outside is frozen solid. Well almost everything! The birds are hitting the feeders like its their last meal. Now I don't know about all of you but I go by what nature is telling me. Baby its cold outside. This morning I ran out of suet so decided to make a pine cone with peanut butter and oats. So far I have not seen anyone on it but how could I if I am on this computer! LOL!! Here is a pic of the finally product. I forgot to take any while making it. Actually that may have been hard to do because my hands were coated with peanut butter. Notice the bird on the tiny piece of suet thats left? As I stood waiting for soemone to eat peanut butter I got bored and took pics of my inside stuff! Nothing like Paper Whites to cheer you up. Oh and also Amaryllis Plant. So beautiful!!! But the most interesting thing I discovered while waiting for a bird to get on the peanut butter is someone was stealing my cookies!!! Bad cat!!!

What a great idea!!!

2010-01-28T18:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks Cheryl for reading my blog. Although I must apoligize for not keeping it up on a daily basis. Sometimes they dailey things just get in the way. Lets see like working a full time job at the place that pays me. Then working here promoting my business and ordering supplies and dreaming of what I can sell this Spring. Awww......I love it!!!

Ten things I enjoy:

1. Spending my time with my fur babies and of course my husband

2.Looking into my dog Phoebes eyes.

                                      3.Rearranging all the inside flowers.
                                      4. Driving to different places locally.
                                      5. Watching TV while my husband does the dishes.
                                      6. Walking outside in the cold.
                                      7.Coming back into the house to the wood stove.
                                      8. Texing my grand daughter Hailey.
                                      9. Listening to friends laugh on the phone.
                                     10. Life (I kept yours Cheryl That word says it all.)
Thank you for sending this to me!!!

Here is my Top Ten Blogs I love!!
Alley Cat Rescue
Birding in Michigan
Cronicles of a Country Girl
My Country Blog of This and That
Scratch My Belly
The Art of Rescue
Water Oak Hill
Bella Vista
Birds, Bees, Bugs and Blossoms
Chickens in the Road

Acrobats in West Virignia

2010-01-24T15:33:00.000-08:00

These little buggers love anything the birds will eat. And of course they are destructive. Soemone told me that their teeth keep growing and thats why they have to chew on something allthe time. Hmmmm....personally I am not sure about that anyone else know?

2010-01-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

Now doesn't this just melt your heart!!! I ran across this while collecting pics for one of my albums!!

Has it been this long?

2010-01-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

Gosh time flies on me. Lets see it is raining outside today but not bad as far as temp. I have spent today looking at things on the internet things that I would love to have and things that I am afraid to look at again!! LOL!! I have started my calendar on plantings for the Spring. Gesh that takes all my thoughts!! This year will be a good year for plants I can just feel it. As most of you know I do have a store and sell flowers from my gardens. And a few used books. My inventory is going up a little at a time. Here is the link just in case you want to see it. www.thesecretflowergarden.net . I am anxious for Spring!!! Dang it is is still Winter!!

My cat Patches

2010-01-11T16:05:00.000-08:00

I know that I have mentioned to you all about my cats and how I have a lot of them. Plus one dog Phoebe!! Of course I have. My cat Patches was given to me 19 1/2 years ago by a Romance writer. And of course it was Nora Roberts from Keedysville, MD. I worked at a place that they had a convention in and she or someone she was with had kittens and along came Patches. Her and I have been to the moon and back with each other. Well she drew her last breath yesterday afternoon while I was at work. When I left for work I knew it was time. She was telling me goodbye when she nipped my finger when I tried to move her to a more comfortable position. I always said that she would bite me prior to her passing. So this post is for her and all she gave me and all I gave her. She survived with me and I survived with her. Rest In Peace My Dear.

Almost time for bed and it is snowing again!!! And I am addicted!

2010-01-07T19:15:00.000-08:00

The snow is coming down really nice right now. We are expecting about 2-4 inches which is not really very much considering what we had 3 weeks ago!! I do not like the cold very much I guess because of the older bones and the facr that my husband is NOT stoking the fire. So you know what I may just go onto bed and sleep really good. But befoe I do that I need to let you all now that I just love to blog. And that I am getting addicted!! Oh dear!!!!

My Phoebe

2010-01-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

I think I see a snake in here.

Gosh I wonder if its in here? (See mom's finger?)

Nope not here.Maybe in the back.

Not there.....of crap does she have that camera out?

Gesh I am not going to look at her. One smile is all she is getting.

Okay thats enough I am headed for the snake again or was it a mouse. Gesh I can not remember now.

And she says I hate cameras! Silly woman!

My life if something else.

2010-01-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

And you know I would never change a thing about it. Except maybe these few extra pounds I have put on. I have learned so much in my lifetime. I learned that I do not have to gain a bunch of weight just because an article or a survey says I will because I am over fifty. Yes I am over fifty but I am a healthy person and I am so glad of that. I exercise 4 days a week at the gym. I walk with my dog at least a mile everyday. She needs to smell every little area we pass that someone may or may not of peed or pooped on. I love that dog. She is getting a little old too. Some days its hard for her to get up. Well her and I are a like in that sense. Some days she just lays around. Me too. Some days she yawns, gets a drink of water eats a little food, expells some gas and lays back down. I run. So I think her and I are so much a like. She hates my camera. Some days I hate my camera. She loves the cats. I love the cats. She loves to dog outside....so do I ! Hmmm.......! I love my life. Her is a picture of my dog her name is Phoebe and she also loves me. I snuck this picture of her when she was looking for a snake in the wood pile. Well darn I can not get a picture posted right now. Will check back in before bed.

Please Remember

2010-01-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

ROFLMAO!!! I say that a lot and wonder sometime what the heck it means. Hmmm......but then it does mean a few things to me. I have people in my life that I just can not even explain how I feel about all of them. I think that sometimes we just do not take the time to say "Hi" toeach other. We text, we email our jokes and weird things (well at least I get weird things in my email) LOL! My life is so full that I barley have time to breath sometimes. I work 8 and 12 hour shifts! I go to the gym 4 times a week for 1-2 hours. I cook (yes I do ) and clean and make beds and clean cat litter boxes and hug cats and brush them and brush my dog and hug and kiss her. My poor husband just stands in line and waits for his kiss. My husband and I have grandchildren that we love dearly. We both have children (not with each other) and they love us and we are sitting back watching them do some of the stupid stuff we did at that age and we wonder why are they messing with their life? But we love them and do not want them to hurt or be hurt. Gosh I am tierd now thinking about all we do. I need sleep so I can do it over again tomorrow!!

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T20:21:00.001-08:00

Gosh another year over. I must be getting old because I am fighting sleep to stay up until midnight! My neighbor just called and said he was getting ready to shoot his gun up in the air. Hmmm......my dad did that when I was a kid. Oh what memories!! Well my poor dog Phoebe is scared to death of loud noises so I guess her and I will go to bed and turn the sound machine on to drown out the noise!! Tell me am I getting old or responsible?

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS!!!

Someone has been lazy with me!!

2009-12-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

Today has been a non productive day and I love it! Well I did a few things but....mostly played on the net and set my Etsey store back up. I am having a sale!! Go check out my Etsey site if you want!! Well the news is on and I really want to see what is going on in the outside world. Jo seems to be having one of those days too. Here is my Etsey Address: http://www.etsy.com/shop/oakrainbow

Is 2009 almost over?

2009-12-29T20:29:00.000-08:00

Well for one thing I would love to know where it went. I remember when I was a little girl my mom would say "Time will Fly". Now I know what she meant by that. Seems like yesterday I was saying gesh where did 2008 go. A lot in our country and a lot in my little life has happened and most of it I can remember! LOL!! I have seen sadness and felt sadness. I have seen laughter and I have laughed. I have seen joy and have had joy. I have cried and they have cried. I am forever gratful for the people in my life. They are the greatest. Okay so I could go on and on but not tonight. I need my beauty sleep. Sleep tight my firends and if your getting up to go to work now have a good work day!!! Hugs.

Is it over?

2009-12-26T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas has come and went here in West Virginia. I love this time of year....well except for the cold. It really effects my old bones. But I do what I need to do for that. My husband and I had a great year this year despite all the awful things that are happening to people with their jobs and homes. We have been very lucky. I am gratful for that. As the year wines down I am sure reflecting back. Last year at this time we did not have snow. I did not have stink bugs in my house. My truck was not paid off yet. I weighed almost 25 pounds more than now. Well its changed my truck is paid off. I weigh about 20 pounds lighter (to many peanut butter balls) we have lots of snow. But I have stink bugs....actually I think there are more this year than last year. But thats my battle. I sure hope everyone has had a great holiday and enjoyed your time off work or play or whatever you do. I know I have had a good time. The picture you see is my sister and I at her home today. I am the one on the right. See that extra five pounds?

The last of the shopping for me!

2009-12-21T19:28:00.000-08:00

Well I am finished, I hope with all the shopping. It was so busy today at the stores and I guess so with no one being able to move for 2 days because of the snow. But mine is done and I am so glad. Last night after wrapping a few of the presents I went to bed and was half asleep when I heard what I thought was a mouse.......I have 6 inside cats....there better not be a mouse!!! So I turned the light on and low and behold it was my poor Jo (Jo is a plastic addict) he was chewing on a box I had pulled out that had Christmas wrapping paper in it. I never thought he would bother it or I would of left it in the closet. So I had to pack all the stuff up and lock it in the closet. My little rescue kittie needs a 12 step program for plastic addicts.

The day after the blizzard/snow storm.

2009-12-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

Well it depends on which TV or radio station you are listening to . In my opion and forgive me but I am not a weather person but it was snow like when I was a child. Deep steady large flakes that fell and blew around and looked so beautiful when I got up. Reminded me of being a child. Gosh what a lot of great memories and odd things I remembered too. Kinda like my story on the bus that left me in the storm. I just looked outside at my pond which bt the way is full of snow and the pond lights are on under the snow. Hmmmmm....how pretty....but...that only means one thing......last week I unplugged teh wrong cord. So when I finish writing this I will trek out into the snow (it's 10pm) and unplug the lights and plug the cord in that needed to stay plugged in......the pond heater. So off I go to do my duties as a good little garden, mother nature type lady.......do I hear laughterin the back ground again?

Snow blowers and heated bird baths

2009-12-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

do not mix!! LOL!! As I started to worry about how to get the dog out to pee without any effort on my part but soon learned that if I waited for my husband she would pee onthe floor and that was not happening. So I put my winter gear on and headed out the door to find the snow shovel. It was located beside the berries in a vase when I went to bed. Hmmmm....................see there it is. But when I went out the door to get it I could not find it. I wondered did someone come and taken it? Most of my neighbors are very honest people. So I walked towards the berries in a jar and.........there it was the snow had taken it not the neighbors. So anyway back to getting Phoebe out to pee. I shoveled and pushed and shoveled her a path and she finally could go pee. As you can tell I am not the greatest shoveler in the world. So she did her thing and left me and went back into the house. She hates cameras and snow so as she laid in the house enjoying the wood stove I shoveled out several things so my husband would not run over them with the snow plow. See I am a good wife! So I came in and started soup and was messing around when I heard a horrible bunch of cussing and it was not me. I ran to the window (I was nto going back outside) and almost laughed at what I saw then I realized the severity of it. My husband had ran over the electric cord that was under the snow and attached to the heater on the bird bath........see that beautiful Grackle enjoy a nice warm drink of water? Well check this one out......so I get dressed and headed out to see what I could do........nothing said the man!!! The lectric cord was wrapped so tight in the snow blower it was almost laughable. But being the good wife I never said a word just came back in and took a couple more pictures. A few birds waited patiently for water..........some went to the pond and others just knew and had faith that he would fix it. So after a lot of words that I had never heard before (LOL) Off he went........and everyone waited for me to get my clothes back on and fix it. So off I went with my bucket of water. A new electric cord that I found in the building. I hooked it up from the pond plug in and put the water in. I swear I heard cheers in the background. So much more to come tomorrow or maybe later but I tell you all its still snowing here in West Virginia and my last measurement was 17 inches. It is a whopper for sure!!

Winter Storm Watch

2009-12-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

Gosh I am sitting here worried to death about driving in the snow to work and a few thoughts are coming to me. I can remember when I was in the 4th grade and it was snowing and blowing snow and my mom got me ready for school. Yep I can never remember school closing for snow. Anyway back to the story.....I was all ready for the bus...went to the end of the road.......yes I had boots......and here came the bus......I could barley see it for the blowing snow.......yeah......I was so cold and freezing.........and.....................the bus passed me by. Yep the driver could not see me. I ran back tot he house and my mom let me stay home. Can you see that happening now a days? No? Me either. So my job that pays me says you have to make an effort to get to work or you get wrote up...I do work in a hospital. So we will see what happens between now and 8am as to weither I go to work or come down with a cold. LOL!! Don't tell anyone now!!! I promise if I stay home I will get some great snow shots!! And of couorse that handsome young man above this post, "Jo" wants me to stay home with him!!

Today has been good.

2009-12-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

Well I guess the reason today was good was because I did not have to work. At least not at the job that pays me. I got up early and headed to the store to finish up my Christmas shopping for my grand kids. Gesh.....what a list they can get together in a heartbeat. But I got to pick one thing and went after it today. First of all I got the wrong color and then got my grandson something that is meant for a girl. So I guess I need to pay more attention to what I am doing. So I came home, (I have the stuff ready to take back tomorrow) and shopped online and it will be at the "site to store" by Monday so why did I ever leave home? Maybe I will remember that next year.

2009-12-13T19:23:00.001-08:00

So now I am mobile blog too!! No excuse not to blog now! Watch for pics!!

What a lazy blooger I am!!

2009-12-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

Well for goodness sake its not like things have not been going on in my small little life. I just have been so busy promoting my flowers and bulbs and seeds that I have not had a chance to get in here. I did have a little run on Christmas presents that men have been ordering. I find that amusing for some reason. Now not that men do not know what to order their ladies but just funny!! Lets see my husband bought me a "point and click" camera! I have been wanting one for years. I am now the owner of a "Canon Power Shot SD780IS" and I love it!!! Oh and its red. I bought myself a carry case today!! Love it also. So I will have to start posting a few extra pics. I am almost ready for Christmas and feel so peaceful at this moment it is almost scary. Oh do not worry I am going to enjoy this time. In fact I think I need a cup of Gentle Breez tea. So off I go for now to get some tea and relax!! The picture is Phoebe. She is my English Springer Spaniel and she is 10 years old. She also hates her picture taken in fact right now she is upstairs because I was looking at my camera. But anyway she saw a squirrel and I picked the camera up and got that shot prior to her seeing me! Gosh I love her!!

Baby its Cold Outside!

2009-12-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

Well Winter arrived here yesterday and its cold. Well cold at least for me. I have a friend in Manitoba that laughs at me when I say that. Of course I do not live there and would not want to because of teh -40 that they have!! Brrrrrrrr.....! So I will stay here in West Virginia with the temperature at 31 right now. Today I have been shopping and have not left home. Of course everytime I do this I end up buying for myself also. One of my favorite stops in the Humane Society. They have some great things on their site for Christmas!! I got myself a cat night shirt! LOL! So then I headed to Amazon to get a few things and have not made up my mind about what to get for a few people that I buy for. I crocheted (gesh I need to get a picture of them) dish clothes for family members. So I try my best to get items that are handmade or helps with a good cause.

Busy, busy, busy!!!

2009-12-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

Oh dear has it been that long since I have posted? Gesh I have been working the job that pays me way to much!! Full moons bring them out!! LOL!! I love my job even though you may here me complain about it!! I only complain so that I will feel better! My flower business on the side is doing fair, my animals are all great hmmmmm........well except for the dog that had the flu and decided to vomit everywhere in the house and stand at the door looking in when you get her out to do it! I swear as soon as I let her in she barfed again1! But she is fine now. I gave her white rice for two days and it cleared it right up. So you see my friends I have been busy. I had to shampoo the carpet, work 12 hours, cook and clean and oh I forgot my husband does help me do this stuff and that I am so gratful for. Now I need to start decorating for Christmas and work lots of hours this coming week at the job that pays me.

Well for Goodness Sake!

2009-11-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

Does anyone ever wonder why we sit and wait for the weather man or woman to come on and tell us what it is going to be like on our days off? Silly isn't it? The reason I say that is yesterday like every other day I watched the news and weather and was so excited about the fact today was going to be 60-70 with lots of sunshine! Wrong!! Mother Nature has her own way and no weather man or woman is going to control her. It was cold and dreary her in WV and they are now saying tomorrow will be good and sunny and in the 60's! LOL!! Why am I listening to that? LOL!! I really love going to every bodies blogs and reading them and saying hey so off I go!!

Another day off!

2009-11-18T17:36:00.001-08:00

OKay you gals and guys look to your left and check out all those giveaways!!! Today for me was a day to just do nothing. And you know what? I got a lot done for me! I scurried around the house and did a little of this and a lot of that and then came into the computer and took care of some things that needed done like catching up with my blogs and yours! I love it!! I really have to get some pictures in here. Lets see Criminal Minds comes on in a few minutes maybe..............

Where has the time went?

2009-11-15T16:47:00.001-08:00

My mom used to say that when she was my age and now I am saying it!! LOL!! Getting older brings back a lot of memories. I miss my mom and my dad and of course my brother James that passed a year ago. I remember when I was a little girl my dad coon hunted so we could eat. I would go a long with him hunting and he would shove me up trees to help get the coon out so the dogs could chase it more and then we would have food. Sound vicious eh? Well we had to eat and my father made lots of money for those days and we ate well and he had the hides to sell when they were ready.. We grew everything we ate and I swore when I grew up I would not do that. LOL!! I love doing it now!! Where have those days gone? I miss them! Oh and by the way the picture I posted I did not take it was on my computer. But isn't it so pretty?

Today is what day? A day to remember!

2009-11-12T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well for goodness sake I had no clue it was Thursday already. I tell you when I get busy doing outside work and heading to that place that pays me the time just fly!! That and today is my birthday. Lets say I am a little over 1/2 a century and gosh there is so many memories floating around in my head. I am reflecting back to when I was little and how neat it was and how things were so simple and as a child there are no worries. I come in here and I read where some of you are going back to the way I was raised and I smile. Our home had a wood/cook stove and I can just smell the warm oatmeal and homemade bread my mom made. Awww.....what a sweet memory. You know I think I will end it with this: times are changing and that is good in most ways. Hold the ones you love real close and love the ones you hold. Nite all!

Thank Goodness its Sunday!

2009-11-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well today was my second 12 hour shift for the weekend! I only do that every 3rd week!! It is so tiring. I can remember when those kind of shifts were a piece of cake. What the heck happened? Ole yeah I got older! But I can tell you all this I feel on a good day like I am 18 again. I am basically happy with my life and the people that are in it. My kitties are so pretty and they discover so many different things everyday. I am so glad we rescued them. It will be one year in a few weeks or so. And of course my dog Phoebe is such a doll even when she is bad.Well this has to be short and sweet I am ready for bed!! It is suppose to be really warm tomorrow and I am looking forward to that!! Garden work to finish up prior to the frost, snow and basically cold weather!! Nite all!

Well back to work!

2009-11-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

Okay so it has been a horrible week for a lot of people that surrounds me but its time to move on and get to work and make some money! I have made every excuse in the book to not make money!! Can you believe it? I am such a silly woman !! So today I went back to the job that pays me by the hour and it really was not to bad. Do not hold me to that after a week of being back!! LOL!! The only bad part about this job is I never work one shift. I think that screws with me!! But for now that is just the way it is!! I picked some pineapple sage today and curry and put it in a vase and took a little bit of my gardens with me. Made me feel better about things. So anyway here I am its 12:30am and I need to get some rest. So thanks to all of you that posted and also the ones that emailed me!! Thanks!! I needed it!!

Checking my plants!

2009-11-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy this past week as a few of you know that I have forgotten what I preach to others!!! "Stop, take deep breaths and be still." So I finally did this after the funeral today and man I am so glad I did. Sometimes our lives get so busy we forget about the little things that keep us going. I sat and watched my cats and how they were reacting to the way I was. I smiled and knew that things are better now and I am headed back on track. I glanced at a Blue Jay taking corn right off the cob. I watched two beautiful Cardinals and their partners eating at the feeders. I watched my outside cat make an attempt at catching something that was actually invisible to me but not him......he never got anything but he had fun trying! I watch the fish in my pond on the bottom waiting for winter so they can get it over with and get some fantastic fish food in the Spring. I watch a leaf fall on my arm and wondered about my life. I sat on that bench and saw so many things that I have not looked at in a week and started smiling at them and praising my cat for not catching that invisible object. I came into my house and looked around and wondered again about my life. I got on the computer and went to my gals on the Secret Garden Board and laughed and smiled and cried. I love those gals and I know they love me as much. I got up from this computer and sat and wondered again about my life. And ya know something?
I smiled.

Things that can happen to us.

2009-10-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

I have been running around in here wondering what to do and what to say. I am actually speechless today. There has been so many things happen in my life and the life of others in the past week that I have to just sit and let my jaw drop. I was reflecting back to when life seemed so much simpler. I guess I was more protected from so called bad things that happened to people. And today I wish I was back there again. You know some people make our lives complete and some make out lives crazy and some people just make us realize how human we really are. When I was a child life just seemed much simpler. Gesh I guess I am growing up! One of the best things that happened to me during my time off of work is burning my brush. Not necessarily the smoke I hate that or the pollution I hate that but just the fact that I was able to do it. It took me away from all that things happening around me to others. I watch that fire and made peace with the universe and wondered what life has in store for me. My work is laying people off and I sure would hate for that to happen to me. I saw an email from work that says they are transitioning 7 full time employees mostly nursing into the main hospital, ewww. I love Psych and would hate to leave! My flower business sucks only because I started it so late in the fall!! So I would hate to have to look for another job!! I know something is in my future that will make things better but for now I guess I just need to wallow in the mud until I stop whining!! So the next post I put in here will be a no whining post!!

What a learning experience.

2009-10-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well today was tough. I went to the hospital and supported my friend and her family. Then headed to WalMart to pick a platter of food up for them and locked my keys in the truck with everything but my phone. Called our insurance and they said I did not have roadside service....hmmmmm........someone is in trouble at this house! So USAA sent a tow truck to get mine unlocked for me and I had to pay for it. But at least they helped me out. By the way.....my spare key was in my purse with the regular keys! GESH!!! So Imade it back to the hospital after taking the food to her house. By then they had made the decision to take him off life support. Then they discovered he was an organ donor so the process will take longer now. So I guess tomorrow or the next day he will be pronounced. Gosh it sucks! Its rainy here in West Virginia and cold so that makes it even more depressing. I need sleep!

A real reality check!

2009-10-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

As I sit here getting ready to write down whats happening in this corner of the world I have tears in my eyes. The tears are for a young woman I work with. She called me last night and wanted me to come to the hospital. She said something had happened to her husband. Floyd is 49 years old and is now brain dead. He is being kept on live support. At 9pm this evening they will discuss with all the family as to what to do and when to do it. Gayle (my friend) will be making the finally decision. I asked her if she wanted me there but thank goodness her mom an dad got there this afternoon. So now its a waiting game. My hurt hurts for her and her family. So my friends in blogville if you have a loved one tell them you love them and talk to each other about stuff. I have nothing else to say except this has been a reality check for me.

Rainy Day in West Virginia

2009-10-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hello!! Today has been rainy off and on all day long! Now the wind is howling and it feels a lot cooler. My husband is at work and I am sitting here with 2 cats on my lap plus the computer. One cat is hollering in the back ground at a bug or at least something that is moving on the carpet. Yuck its a dang ole spider. Oh well its gone now!! LOL!! Cats can be so useful!! I am looking up at a Christmas Cactus I got several years ago as a prize at work. It blooms every year at this time and its beautiful!! I will get a picture of it tomorrow! I have never had one to bloom like this one! So pretty! Well I need some beauty sleep so I will head to bed for now!! Remember to check out my website for a great deal!!

I got some mulch!!!

2009-10-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

It really does not take much to excite me when it comes to gardening!! My husband saw in the recyle center that they had mulch $5.00 a tractor bucket full!! Oh I got 2 buckets full. My truck was up n the air!! But I was in heaven!! The man told me that I was not a 2 bucket truck so next time I will only get one!! And yes there will be a next time!! Probably Tuesday!!! Wooo hooooo!!! Came home wiht it and unloaded it n front of my husband old "Blue" truck. I had to laugh I asked him if he minded and he said where do you think Old Blue is going? See Old Blue is broke and is used as a storage!! Hey its a great storage place!! So started to unload it and went to pull the handle down to open the back in and it broke!! Now I have to get another handle!! Dang it!! But no biggy!! I will get it and it will sit and wait for my husband to put it on!! LOL!! Hopefully by next year!!! LOL!! Gosh I am feeling hungarty catch you gals later!!!

Our first light frost last night!

2009-10-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

I had to work all weekend and did not get to taking a few things out of the ground. I was hoping they were okay and you know what they were!!! So today I have been digging Canna's cleaning them and have them on the porch to be put away for winter or until someone buys them. The ones I did today were the Red Cannas. So pretty!! After that I got all my seeds into paper bags minus Stink Bugs or Spiders or at least I hope so. So my small dining room as now become my smaller area for seeds and flowers!! I love it!! I have some patchouli that I need to get fixed into little sacets to sell. So much to do and so little time!!! LOL!!! Actually I am off on vacation for 10 days after Wednesday and I will need it!! I have a large hand dug pond with a million fish and frogs in it not to mention lily pads and pond pumps and filters!! I do need to shut my pond down tomorrow!!! So I better get soome rest tonight!!!

Insane Cat Video

2009-10-15T18:45:00.001-07:00

Insane Cat Video

Shared via AddThis

Ears and Cannas and Lilies oh my!!

2009-10-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well today has been really cold and rainey!! So instead of going outside and working I took the time to get a few things in order here. Well actually after I did wade out and get my hair cut!! I seperated and counted and made my inventory of Black Elephant Ears, Yellow cannas and Lilies that needed to get ready for the cool weather storage. And of course while doing that I also had many things on my mind. I have been launching my new business and its been really fun yet stressful too. But so far I have not done bad. So I can not complain about it!! Oh my thoughts on promoting my business are all jumbled up inside this big ole head of mine!! LOL!!! Today was also a good day to catch up on emails on emails and make a few phone calls. I bought a Stephen King Book (I love the King) and am going to start it in a few minutes. Its called Just after Sunset. Has anyone read it yet? Do not tell me the ending!!! So for now I am going to check out the blogs I follow and see what you gals and guys are up to!!!

Watch out because tomorrow I think I will start a give-a-way!!! Hmmmmm........ears, cannas and lillies oh my!!!

I have been very busy!

2009-10-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

And believe me it has not been a pretty site!! If only I would of thought to grab my camera!! noooo.................I did not want pictures of what I have been doing and seeing!!! Yes I know that bugs are essential for nature and they all have a purpose! But I can not for the life of me think of WHY the "StinkBug" would have a purpose except to bother me this year. Here goes the story of this nasty little bugger!! I had worked several days in a row and had no time at all to clean or vacumn upstairs in the lofe which is where we sleep. I lvoe this house! Anyway I saw a couple of the bugs and killed them (sorry bug lovers) then started cleaning and dusting and ripping bedclothes off to put more on. When all of a sudden I thought hmmmmm.......there sure seems to be a lot of those bugs here with me. I went to Phoebe's side of the bed on the floor and lifted up her bed to wash it and lined all along the wall is the stinkers!! Ewwwww.............I grabbed the vacumn and sucked them up and then started to change the bed again and I thought....hmmmmm............I picked up the mattress and under the farken mattress was the bugs!!! It looked like they had a city built!! I screamed for my husband and he came and he could not believe it either. He held the mattress up and I vacumned at least 100 or more of them!! Gesh no wonder my allergies have been bad!! By this time I got the ant and roach spray got the cats all in a different room and sprayed all along the cracks in the floor area!! And around the windows!! Then I said to myself my work is done here. I came back around an hour later and finished vacumning the dead ones and of course a few live ones up!! I had thrown all the sheets into the washer and got them out to put in the dryer. Do you know how tough these farken bugs are? There was several in my washer still alive! aaaaa................................................I am going to lose it!! So I settled down and later when I was headed to bed I looked around and picked the mattress up and checked all those place and went to bed with terrible dreams of them!! When I got up I felt I may be able to make it thru the day. Guess what? I was chilly and I keep my winter clothes (it is getting chilly here in West Virignia) so I grabbed a nice sweater out to put on and yep...................they were in my closet!! In my clothes and now I am crying!! Oh did I mention that all the pictures in my bedroom was infested also? Yep I have no pictures in there now! So I was just dieing here!! My husband heard me and got worried that maybe I had finally lost what was left of my mind!! He calmed me down and we cleaned the clothes out and got them all washed and they are all now in a vacumn bag. If they get in there I am burning this house to the ground!! Well not really but tempting!! Needless to say I will be calling an exterminator tomorrow!! Of course they were not working today it was a holiday!! Hey I had to work!!! So thats my story about the stink bugs and how they have driven my insane!!

The Job that Pay Me

2009-10-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

You know some days I wonder why I get out of bed and other days I wonder why I slept so long. In other words we just can not have it all! And then I have to remember that it's Monday and the job that pays me is always so busy on Mondays and Fridays. Oh dear I wonder if I am working on Friday? Dang!! Does not matter anymore I need the money!! LOL!!! Now for the rest of the story of today: I talked with a lady from our grounds department and she gave me a ton of black elephant ears and cannas (yellow) I am so excited. Nature takes care of us when we need it! So I am actually in heaven!!!

A very lazy blogger.

2009-10-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Yep thats me!!! Gesh here it is October 3rd and I have notoe been in here. I can tell you one thing though I have been very very busy. I cleaned out several flower beds and planted a lot of day lilies that my sister gave me. Then I spilt and planted my hosta for next years Spring sale on my website and here at my home. Today I went to a friends house and dug up a whole bunch of Rose of Sharons!! I love working outside and wish I could make enough money at it to quit the job that pays me!!! But for now here I am resting and relaxing at my home with my 6 cats and dog oh and my husband too. My life is complete. BTW check out that little handicapped frog!! He is so cute!

Windy day and night!

2009-09-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Gosh today has went fast!!! Well actually in 15 minutes it will be 12 midnight! The wind is howling and I can see the moon is waxing away up there. Life is good here for the moment. I picked a few flowers mostly hostas up today and have to seperate and get them in the ground soon! Spring will be back before I know it! My sister gave me several plants and tons of bulbs (August Lilys) she had to change a few flower beds and I got the left overs.! I have been a very busy woman today!! I transplanted a couple house plants this morning. I always do that in the fall after they have been outside all spring and summer. If not I seem to end up with some creatures in here that do not need to be in here with us. Usually ants! So got more of that to do then I will have all my babies inside!! Well gotta get some sleep will be busy tomorrow!!

Work all Weekend!

2009-09-25T18:19:00.001-07:00

Yep at the job that pays me!! LOL!! This is my weekend to work and I am hoping it goes fast. I have so much to do and so much to take care of!! I have made a list and checked it twice and it is almost done!! Lets see I do believe I have a vacation coming up at the end of October. Well everyone have a great weekend I will be in here to catch up on Monday!!

OMGAWD

2009-09-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy today!!! Got up early to take my 2 girls to the Vet for shots. Came home headed outside and dug up some plants that I sold and delivered some and mailed some. Headed to the car wash an dgot my truck detailed. I ordered 2 signs for my truck for my business and wanted the truck to look pretty when it they come in!! I went to Pet Smart and got some prescription cat food for Jo!! Can you believe it? No doc has to see him but I have to have a prescription!! Hmmmm.....its a head scratcher for me!! Anyone else? Jo has to eat the Roayl Caine HE for Sensitive stomachs!! Gesh!! But ya know what it has helped him along witht he FortiFLora that we give him!!! No more poops for him!! I love that big ole boy!!

Headed to the Gym

2009-09-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I need to get back into a routine of the gym. I have been a slacker lately and that is not good for me!! After the gym then I am headed to the place that pays me. I thought I would stop in here first to let everyone know there are so many changes going on in the gardens of my life. First of all I have been trying to launch my products to sell online and in the local area. I finally got a business license and that if a relief. I would not want the tax man at my door. I did learn a few things and some things I want to forget about taxes and such! LOL!! So I am a one woman enterprise of selling bare root plants, seeds and much more ! So wish me luck ladies and gents!! I am getting phone calls from people trying to sell me stuff for my stuff!! I had to laugh, I have no money!! i told the last one if they wanted to buy at least $200.00 worth of my plants then I would invest in them marketing me over the internet!! I am not looking for a million dollars in orders just a little spending money!! LOL!! So anyway that my dull life for now!! I need to get to the gym!!!

My Brain is hurting!

2009-09-20T17:04:00.001-07:00

I swear all I want to do is sell a few flowers and bulbs and seeds and it seems I have to cross a million bridges to get there legally!!! OMGAWD if I thought it took this much effort I may or may not of started it!!! I am making a couple bucks but it just seems that I should get a short form or something to get a license. Yes I have to have a license!! One to protect the name of my company, which includes only me!! Grrrrr.......my back hurts and I am going to drop this subject right now!! Ok so now I feel better!! LOL!!!

Gesh I have had a good day!!

2009-09-19T16:36:00.001-07:00

But of course I worked hard at it to! i planted 45 tulip bulbs and it is going to be so pretty this coming spring! I am so drained of energy right now I could scream but it is well worth it all!! My husband has been painting the outside of the house. He has been doing it now for I think a month. He said today I am getting there!! I have no idea what there means but.......he is my man! I went to Lowe's and got some potting soil an d will be doing my inside plants tomorrow! My finger nails are dirty and I am happy!!

Oh dear its almost midnight!!

2009-09-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hello all I worked this evening and I have to get to bed! To much work just makes me drag plus I have blood work in the am. The usual every year check up from head to toe!! But we got rain today and there for I am happy. So while I am so happy I am headed to bed!!!

Awwwww......much better!

2009-09-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

Oh dear after reading the post I made yesterday it makes today look really good. Thanks for thinking about me and wondering if things got better. Well as some of you know and some don't I am about 6 years to retirement. That is if nothing happens and we get this house paid off. Time will fly though I just know it I have hope. Well today was much better. Lets see except the front door to the place that pays me. The phone broke. Now for those that do not know I work on a Psych Unit. Gotta have them locked doors! Well my front door has a telephone that the family members and or docs or whomever comes to our Unit pick it up and announce who they are and why they are at the door. When you have no way to communicate thru a 12 inch steel door and you are sitting behind bullet proof glass (I do not think its really bullet proof it just sounded good to say) and you can not hear them and they can not hear you it is not a good thing. So every 5 minutes I was up out of the chair (gosh that chair felt good today also) and go to the door to let people in. We have a buzzer that opens the door but it really doesn't make a noise. Gesh that makes no sense at all!! But the phone techs made it down within 4 hours and things got better. And the best part is I got some exercise!! LOL!! When I got home and looked at all the dried grass (we need rain bad here in West Virginia) I watered my flowers and they look so alive and ready for the sun tomorrow! Kind of like I feel right now!! Alive and getting ready for tomorrow.

Today felt like Friday the 13th!!

2009-09-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

But it was Monday and everything I touched or tried to do became more complicated than ever!! Like this morning when I was getting ready for work at the job that pays me. Got in the shower and the sop just flew across the room!! Yep flew. And of course I am soaked to the bone and there is no more soap in the tub!!!! Grrr........now I had water to clean up off the floor, (4 minutes behind schedule) Retrieved the soap and finished up then headed to the bedroom to change into the work outfit!! LOL!! The pants were a tan color, well over night someone knocked them down and laid on them and that someone was black!! So had to find something else to wear! Found that then headed out to the kitchen for more coffee and to listen to some news. Still in stocking feet (why no shoes I have not a clue I knew better) and yep stepped in a hair ball one of the things that happens when you have a house hold of cats. It sure wasn't the dog!! Back to the bedroom changed into socks and put my shoes on! Now I still had not had enough coffee. So back into the kitchen and yep its cold! Put it into the microwave then it was way to hot!! So that's when I decided that I had to get to the job that pays me or I was going to loose it!!! Went to work and yep everything I started turned to dust. So ladies and gents that's it........tomorrow I will declare it start over day!! LOL!!

Sunday all Day

2009-09-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

Want to know why I say that? Because I have had a really peaceful day today and I love it! Things seemed to fall into place and that's really good!! I am preparing for my vacation in October!! I always take 2 weeks off to put my gardens to sleep for the winter. I went to the store today and bought 50 tulip bulbs! I am so excited!! I also went to the "As seen on TV Store" in the Mall and go me an auger that has been advertised!! Guess what? It works!!!! Yeah!!! I did not do the bulbs but I sure made a lot of hole in the gardens!! LOL!!! I will probably forget I did it and see the holes and cuss a squirrel or something for making them !!! Oh well such is my life!! I am sitting here with gloves on that are suppose to be good for arthritis so far they feel real good!! It heck getting old and things start wearing out. I went to the gym and walked 4 miles and did 15 pull ups!!! Gesh no wonder I am tierd!!! Well gotta go for today!!! Seems I have a very full schedule this week at the job that pays me!!! I actually work 5 days in a row!!! Yuck!!

Reflection

2009-09-11T18:42:00.001-07:00

I chose the title reflection for many reasons. One of those reason is naturally it is 911. It changed so many lives. Mine has not been the same since. My husband was in the Guard at that time and was called to duty on September 15th 2009. The Army took him to Georgia then eventually Iraq for 2 years. A lot change with us since then. We became close in some ways and far away in others. Not sure why except for the things he saw and the things I saw during this time. I made a trip to NYC a few years ago and went to the site. It was one of the most emotional things I have ever done. It was a Spiritual Journey that I will never ever forget. It was like I could feel all the soulds that were lost all at once. And I cried. My friends and I went to the Church that stood one block from the Trade Center. It amazed me because it was so "quiet" there and serene. And I cried. The picture is from the Church towards the grounds where the Trade Center was. We all need to remember.

No rain and I have even did the Rain Dance!

2009-09-10T16:08:00.001-07:00

Good evening my friends out there in blog land! I worked hard today at the place that pays me then came home and played in the gardens. No rain here so I had to water the gardens. Things sure are drying up fast. Also the leaves are falling from the Walnut trees. I have this really dirty pond that needs cleaned and that will have to wait until Saturday. Fall is right around the corner. I have a really huge list of things to do and am trying to scratch one off a day. Hmmmm.............okay so write in blog is scratched off!!! Catch you later!!!

Here it is Tuesday Night

2009-09-08T19:30:00.001-07:00

Today was overcast but no rain. It is so dry outside that when I mowed I had to put a mask on. Pretty bad huh? Other than that I took the marigolds out of my husband now dead veggie garden, well except for the tomatoes! I put them in pots on the porch and they look real good. I will have to get a picture of them soon. I took all my cats outside for a walk. Jo still will not go off the porch and I guess that's a good thing. He is my little tubby boy. I love them all. We came back in and I worked on my website and printed some photos and put them in a photo book I got from the GetaWay in Kentucky. I am now going to carry it with me because everyone wants to see what I have for sale. Gotta keep things going !! I want to retire real soon!!! Well 5 or 6 years anyway!! Well gotta go for now my bed awaits me! BTW the picture is Baby Girl!! Ain't she cute!!

The Invasion of the Stink Bugs!

2009-09-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

See that? I swear I love nature and all of it's surprises but something has gone wrong with this bug!! AKA: Stink Bug!!! I can not stand them and it seems the more I hate them the more I get. We have caulked, plugged holes, sprayed and they are back!!! It seems like a cruel joke !! I can cuss and I feel like it every time I go to take a sip out of my cup and there is a Stink Bug staring at me standing straight up on my straw! Grrrrr........one made it to my lips when I was not looking!! I almost vomited! They seem to love the light bulbs and my goodness they just stink. The oil from their skin goes thru everything. Okay so have I beached enough about them? This is not the end of the complaining!!! Does anyone have a solution? Help I am losing my mind!!!

Well for Goodness Sake

2009-09-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today was another 12 hour day at the place that pays me to show up!! Anyway I finished that place and am home! The moon coming home was so beautiful and bright. Last night it was completley full and white looking tonight it was full (98%) and a little on the orange side. Awww...Fall is on the way! My mind is set with a few things I need to do tomorrow. One of my friends is having a yard sale and she said she had some pots for me so you know I am going there. I may even take Phoebe!! Then home and scratch something off my list. Like getting into the pond and cleaning and digging around in it to see what has landed in it that should not be there!Leaves are falling from the walnut trees and it looks like a yard with a golden blanket! There is nothing in this world to me greater than nature!

Work at Home vs Work

2009-09-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

As I sit here and look at that title I wonder what the heck am I going to say about that and how did I come up with it. Hmmmm.......must be because I have to work all weekend so this is my Sunday night. (Still with me on this one?) Anyway these past couple days have been great. I poted some of my inside flowers in nice fresh dirt and brought them inside. Still have a lot of them to do but the few delicate ones I have are in here. I still have the Passion Flower to get in though. Crap I just thought of that one as I was typing this. I am in Zone 7 so it would be way to cold for it to stay outside and you all know how I have fallen in love with it. I have a Night Blooming Cereus that has never bloomed but I am patiently waiting, its only about 5 years old now. Anyone know any secrets to getting it to bloom? I know I water it way to much and transplate it to often. I promise I will not do that this year. I also laid out some plans for planting in the Spring. Went to a neighbors to see if she had some horse poo and she does (plenty actually) so I will be getting that next weekend. Oh boy!!! Well now that all of that's off my chest I have to think about the job that pays me money!! Crap I am going to bed!!!

Congrats to "Country Girl" for winning my first giveaway!!

I will be having another soon!!! So pass the word around!

Oh dear!

2009-09-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am going to be aching tonight! But I do not care because I love working outside and can take the good with the bad!! I now have some bengay on my hands! Awww...it feels so good!! Hey do nto forget to go to the August 28th post and read it and post by tomorrow at 8pm Eastern time!! Phoebe will be drawing a name or is that slobbering on a name!! LOL!! I am headed back out in a minute to sit by the pond and ejoy all God's creatures. Bird getting ready for bed, frogs burping, the breeze is real ge ntle and my Grey Stroke always comes and sits with me. Then the hummers comes in and look at me. I swear if I was being video taped they would take me away!! LOL!! Well headed out!!

What can I say!!

2009-09-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful to be home with my feet up and on the computer checking my friends out!!! I worked 1/2 day today and then stopped at the gym. Came home started laundry, watered a few things that are drying out! Sat down and waited for the hummers. Laughed at them when they flew near me. I think they are making fun of me somehow!! LOL!! But what a joy it is to see!!

Giveaways and More

2009-09-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

I swear I am so slow in here sometimes!! I am having my giveaway on Friday (check the post out on August 28th!! ) Wooo hooo!!!

And also go here and check this Giveaway out!!

http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com

My Passion

2009-08-30T19:05:00.001-07:00

OMGAWD look what happened today!!!! Wooo Hoooooo!!! My very very first Passion Flwoer Bloom!! It has such a sweet smell too!!! OMGAWD do I sound excited or what?

A day in my life!

2009-08-29T16:54:00.001-07:00

Well today has really not been too bad. My husband tore the windows out in the mudd room which I wasnot expecting it to be such a mess!! So I ended up staying home because of this. I was in the gardens most of the day with pen and paper in hand making a list of things that need done before winter,I am on page three. But I love the work and love nature so I plow on!! I was in upset about seeing the "stink bugs" come out again! I was so hoping that they would be gone this year. I even saw a green on on one of the flowers!! Gesh!! The hummers were flying around probably mapping out there path for winter. It is suppose to be getting chilly soon! Now I know winter has to happen but..........I better go for now prior to being so negative about the cold. Actually the cold isn't too bad its my bones that can not stand it!!! Do not forget my give away !!!

Blackberry lily Give Away

2009-08-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow the 29th of August would of been my mom's 79th birthday. She gave me one of my favorite flowers. The "Blackberry Lily". Little did I know how much this flower means to me. So please post your best memory of your mom. The names will go in a hat and Phoebe will pick the winner on next Friday the 4th of September! So pass this on and good luck!!

ps: you will win 2 Blackberry lily plants. Sorry due to restrictions US bloggers only.

Running into walls day!

2009-08-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days!! I worked the job that pays me and actually would rather not work than one but my carts need food!!And of course my dog Phoebe!! So that's why I work at that place. I can not wait until I can get my little garden business going real well so I can quit or retire which ever one come first!! But as far as being home now it is a joy!! My pond lights are on right now and its so cool out finally!! And I am relaxing and that's the end of my day!! The weekend is here and I am so glad!!

Mother Nature is Grand!!

2009-08-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

The pictures are Jo, Bandit, Grey Stroke which is an in and out cat, Baby Girl and Jackie!
Hello!!! I can say that today was so good! Of course being off work makes it good anyway! I had my coffee by the pond then came in the house and started laundry! I hate doing housework!! But I wanted to get that done prior to being off the weekend. You see my theory is do the stuff you hate doing and then have fun. My husband is so much different than me. Maybe that's why we get a long so well. But lets get back to my day! I had to get new cat collar's for all the four Manx's the ones they had on was worn out. My babies go outside with us and we always have them on just in case one runs away while we are not looking! And then outside we went. I sat in my chair sipping a tall glass of green tea and watched them. What a joy to be able to watch them. My boys are rescue kitties and they had a horrible beginning life. They came from a bunch of great ladies that rescued them from a breeder that just went wild. My boys are still very afraid of certain things like sudden moves, certain tones in the voice. But they now have a life that they deserve. They walk with me and we go into my gardens and sit. Jo is still very afraid to come off the porch but his brother Bandit is a roamer! Then of course Baby Girl and Jackie that we have had since they were 7 months old. We got them from reputable breeder from Pennsylvania. We all have had a great day!!

My morning rush!

2009-08-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Well here I am and its 10:30pm and I am sitting here thinking about my day and how it started and how it has ended. When I got up this morning to get ready for work I got my coffee and headed out to my pond to observe and see what Mother Nature has done while I was asleep. I sat down on my bench (without looking of course) and it was wet so I thought hmmmm...gotta shower anyway so I stayed put. Phoebe was running around like a nut to find a place to poop and along came Grey Stroke (my only outside cat) he hopped up on the bench with me and I checked his side to see if it was swollen,(he had another cat scratch him about a week ago)it was not swollen like before so I gave him a break and left him be. He got his morning hugs, Phoebe pooped so all was right in my small and sometimes weird world. So I got up had wet pants headed into the house but before I got in the door a hummingbird flew almost into me and that made my day go so much faster and so much better than the previous days.

Gesh I am beat!

2009-08-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!! Yesterday was so hectic at that place that pays me money that I had no time to stop and think. Today has been different I have had lots of time to think and do. I took my dog Phoebe to the "Beauty Parlor" to get her hair cut. She always looks so cute when she gets home!! Then about one day into it she usually finds a place to drop and roll!! But she is the light of my life. I have been working in the store also making post cards and pictures on canvas to sell. They have turned out so beautiful!!! I have learned one things though: I did not have a glue stick so I tried to use the liquid elmer's glue..........needless to say it does not work!! So when I go pick Phoebe up I will also be picking up a glue stick! I am making 8x10 pics with a beautiful backing and 4x6 note cards. Will post a pic on my site as soon as I finish with them. Other than all this stuff I am pretty well on the way to having my way to bigger and better things!

Such a joyful time !

2009-08-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today has been great. I slept in until noon! Must of needed it because I rarely stay in bed that long. Got up drank some coffee by the pond with my dog, Phoebe. She turned 10 this year. I have had her for 8 of those years. A man gave her to me after him and his wife had a baby they could not keep the dog. Who knows!! Anyway she is my love. Her and I both have some arthritis so we both take glucosimine plus she gets a dog baby aspirin. I never get to many good pics of her because she hates the camera so that's out. Today we weeded the gardens! What a fun time that is. I got to all of them but one and it will have to wait. The sun is shining and I am getting ready to take all my babies outside for a stroll. I have 4 Manx cats that live inside only and we take them for walks every now and then. Today is their day. So I will catch up in here later. Hope everyone is having a good day!!

My online store

2009-08-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

Gesh I have been so busy making an online store. I honestly did not think it would be this hard. Anyway I think it is looking good and hope it takes off and I make a buck or 2. I really want to retire in 5 years!! So I figured I better start now!! LOL!!
Go check it out and let me know what you think!!!! If you click on the left side of the bar that says "The Secret Flower Garden Store" it should take you there.

A ray of Sunshine

2009-08-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

In this fast paced world there are some days when I am not sure of what I am doing. Some days that worries me and some days it does not. For the past 2 days I have been lost in another world where time was not mentioned or heard of. And no I was not doing any drugs! LOL!!! I have been thinking about friends and people in my life. This it seems happene's to me every time we have a GetaWay. I remember the first GetaWay I went to I came home and cleaned my house out. Gave stuff to the needy and felt good about it. I even broke some glass thinking maybe I would become an instant glass on glass artist. Man was that ever funny!!! One year I came home from one of these adventures and made some stepping stones. They actually turned out okay and are still together. The next year I can home and decided I was a gardener. LOL!! We all have our talents and that's mine. It weird thinking about it though. When I was young I always told people do not buy me flowers I kill them all! Look what happened!

More adventures in Kentucky

2009-08-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

I really must say that I have worked the past two days 12 hours each day so I have not had time to get in here! On with the adventure!! We were all so glad to see this young lady and her family it was so emotional and funny and just down home feelings. It was like meeting your old friend for the first time!! LOL!! I think Darla had said that when we meet. We strolled around to the barn and saw the goats and chickens and guineas the dog and I think I heard a kitten in the attic of the little barn. Then we saw Dirt Cat. Now he is a cutie!! Of course I am so in love with cats (I have 6 of my own!) Her is a pic of one of the Goats!!! Not sure of her name but look at her ain't she so cute? This little farm in Kentucky had so many adventures and things to see it would take all the rest of this year to even tell you all everything!! I am working on it though. Have patience!! I am wore out tonight so I will leave you with this, "Always do good things for everyone no matter what or how you may feel."

Day two of the Slugfest

2009-08-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all: We got up kinda early to get going to Kentucky we got a free breakfast and it was delicious!! Lets see on day 2 of the GetaWay Glenda, Dawn, Mazda and I went to get our rental car to head to Kentucky. See we had decided to meet in St Louise because it was cheaper for the Canadians. I am clue less as to why but actually never asked. Just knew I was going to be with them for 7 days!! (Or as my friend Mazda was saying: This is going to be a looooog seven days) dang ole hussy! I have been doing this for 5 years now and I tell you its the best part of my year! Anyway back to the story. We started out by arguing as to wither the Tom Tom worked or not. That peed me off so I told them where to go in a hand basket and then they listened to the Tom Tom. Mazda kept checking in on her maps on her "new" phone and Dawn checked her paper map and every now and then I would here them say, "I do not think that's the right way. Then the driver which was Glenda (she likes that control part) would here them and start to panic. I kept telling them my Tom Tom got me to the airport it will get us to Kentucky dang ole hussies were driving me nuts by then!! (It was going to be a long seven days!) So we saw a WalMart.........worst place to stop in the world for us!! We were still in Missouri and I guess we thought Kentucky did not have any water, clothes, beer or wine. Oh and I was looking for a new suitcase because mine broke on the way down. We were in there forever!! I never got a suitcase so you know we had to stop at another one but then we just kept going . Then on the road again and the argue over the TomTom started again!!! We had to make lots of stops like the one at Cracker Barrel see there may not have been any store in Kentucky to shop! LOL!! We ate some where and I am not even sure where at this point its still kind of a blur. So off we went again and again!! The estimated time to get there was 3 hours we arrived in Dirt Bunny's (Yep I said Dirt Bunny Her name is Darla for real) driveway which yes was in the boonies!! But it was just like the all the pics she had posted on our special board. When I saw this young lady I was so amazed and I knew that there was yet another best friend for life! I had feelings of so much joy at that point. Her and her husband Joe and her kids J and L what a family. It took me back in time when I was a little girl and my family was all well and we did things like raise chickens and goats. And my heart swelled at that point and I felt I was home.

Home from Kentucky

2009-08-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!! I am slowly getting settled after coming home from the best trip I ever had. I meet up with some friends in St Louise and we drove to Marion, Kentucky. It was so funny on the Tom Tom it said it would take us about 3 hours to get there!! We got there after 6 hours. I just know it had nothing to do with all the pee stops and shopping at Wal mart and having ice creme gesh we were on vacation!!! LOL!! So anyway I thought I would start with day one and each day for 7 days tell my tale of the adventures of the "Kentucky Agenda Maker's Slug Fest"!!! By the end of the 7 days you will understand how we came up with the name of the GetaWay!!! We have met like this for 5 years now! We actually meet on the internet. But this year was special because we got to meet the leader, Darla!! And she is a doll!

My friends and I flew into St Louise Airport and stayed the night in the Quality Inn. The room was very cheap for 4 women staying in the same room it was hilarious too. I got to meet a new lady this time her name is Dawn but at the end of the Slugfest her name was changed to Lil. For Last in Line! LOL!! Everywhere we went she was always the last person in and the last out!! She accepted the name graciously and is a very sweet person. The other two women Glenda and Mazda (yes I said Mazda/her real name is Carolyn) Of course my nick name is Oak. We talked and laughed and cryed for a few hours and then we got tierd from all the traveling. We had a late supper and then was all exausted and went to bed.

It's Vacation Time

2009-08-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well I am headed to St Louise in the am and then Kentucky on Thursday!! Wooo hoooo!!!
A bunch of us friends are getting together and this is going to be the BIG one!! So you will not be hearing from em for at least a week!!! Have fun all I know I will!! Last year was Manitoba!!! BTW that is the pup that we stand with in Manitoba!! We had a blast!!

Pics of things that mean a lot to me!

2009-08-03T19:30:00.001-07:00

Of course my very bizarre war veteran husband he was in Gulf War and Iraq!!

Well if ya love your pets then ya have a pet cemetery or somewhere at least you put them. This one has several of our pets in it. The most recent being Harry my man cat. He died at 13 years old.

Of course my pond is very important for me!! I have spent lots of hours of relaxation there!! My husband dug it for me for Mothers day several years ago.

Patches is the mixed breed Calico is 19 now!! Her birthday is April 1st 1991. She came from a mystery writer that lives near us in Boonesboro Md.

This is Baby Girl and Jackie! My husband got them for me in 2003 when he was headed to Iraq. He said they would keep me busy!! They did!! They are pure breed Manx.

Well thats a few of the important things more will follow!!! I need so rest now!!

And another thing!

2009-08-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

As I sit here this evening getting ready for bed I starting thinking about my mom. Now my mom passed in 2005 and I am so grateful that her and I got to talk a lot prior to her last breath. I believe the thing that I was thinking about is my mom and my dad both passed with all their thoughts. They did not have dementia or any other debilitating disease that kept them from talking. I really enjoyed them even though in my mind I knew she would not be there for long. We talked about when I was a little girl and how much trouble I was in for running away one time. (I went to the chicken coop and stayed all night) I never knew until my mom was sick that she was outside that chicken coop all night just in case I got scared. That brought a tear to my eye. As you can tell I was much closer to her than my dad. My dad left us when I was 16 and that was an awful thing. He told me prior to his death that he was sorry and I forgave him. So at least I had time to talk to both of them for hours and hours prior to them passing. As I look at my hands now I see my mom.
The picture is of my grandmother ( my mom's mom) my brother James which just passed from alcoholism my sister Betty is the smaller child and me the oldest child. We also have a brother Chuck which is not in that picture. He is a year younger than me and he is mentally challenged. He lives in a group home near me. Gosh what a wonderful life I have! I am blessed!

Stuff

2009-08-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

I kept trying to get a title for today and could not come up with a dang thing! So "stuff" will have to do. I went to the Country Store in Winchester to get a few things for my trip. I love that store. I ended up buying "stuff" for me and not my friends!! LOL!! So I guess that just an excuse to go back tomorrow! As I was coming home a big storm started brewing so I rushed to get home to give my Phoebe some benadryl. It is the only thing that settles her down when a storm or firecrackers is within earshot of her. Poor baby gets so nuts if she does not have the medication that she goes into a panic mode. And of course right now its not storming and she is sleeping. It is really hard to get pics of her because of this. But Phoebe was with me right by my side when my husband was in Iraq. So she is the most special dog I have ever had. Right now she is 10 years old and she acts like I do at the end of our day. When we sit down its a little harder to get up and we both take medication for it. So her and I are joined at the hip!!! When I go away this week I will really miss her a lot and yes of course I will call and talk to her on the phone!! LOL!!

First full day of vacation!

2009-08-01T20:00:00.001-07:00

Awww....now I loved today. I am making lists and checking them twice. My trip to Kentucky starts on Wednesday (that's this coming Wednesday!) I got up and enjoyed my coffee at my pond while the fish ate and Phoebe roamed around the yard looking for a place to poop! LOL!! Of course the best part is I was upwind!! LOL!! After that big event I got ready to go into town for some supplies. I needed one more thing for my craft gift for Kentucky. Got that went to Bed Bath and Beyond (gosh I love that store)
found what I wanted to get there and came home. Then the fun began!!! I changed into my outside clothes and went to my lower garden and started pulling weeds and that is when I am in heaven. I was looking for a yellow flower I promised someone and I still have not found it!! LOL!! Funny part about it I marked it with a piece of bamboo and now I have a bunch of bamboo in the gardens and can not find that flower at all!! Oh well if it wants to go with me to Kentucky it better raise its head up soon!! Okay off I go to get into something else!!

Past Jobs and more!

2009-07-31T19:14:00.001-07:00

Oh I am so going to relax and enjoy these 2 weeks off work. Now do not get me wrong I love the patients it's just that I have to work!! I have worked at a paying job since I was 15 years old. My mom and dad were splitting up and I needed to work to help my mother. My first job was working in an ice creme shop and we made subs also. Oh my was I ever sick of that stuff after about 4 months of sneaking the food and ice creme! Not sure if my boss at that time knew it or not. But we were very poor so I had to do what I had to do! But I worked and never even thought of college or saving money for the future or anything like that. See you do pass down to your children what you know. So when I had my child I made dang sure he was going to do something more than I did and do today. I would never change my pass or want to forget any of it because it has made me the woman I am today!! And ya know what> I love that women!! Well got some rest to get!!! I am on vacation!!! The pic is of me in New York City at the World Trade Center Site. Such a spiritual awaking that was.

2009-07-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

OKay I just went to Tatersmama's and found this and decided to join in on the fun!!

48 things about me...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:15am

2. How do you like your steak? Medium Rare is good!

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? "We were Soldiers" My husband and I watched it right before he went to Iraq.

4. What is your favorite tv show? "Criminal Minds" Hey I work on Psych!

5. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Georgia for some reason it seemed like a good place to live!

6. What did you have for breakfast? Oatmeal just like every morning!

7. What is your favorite food? Steak and Baked Potato

8. What foods do you dislike? Chinese Food/ got sick from it one time!

9. Favorite place to eat? A little Italian Restaurant up the Road from us!
10. Favorite dressing? Ranch for sure

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? 2001 Ford Ranger and I love her!! She is paid for too!

12. What are your favorite clothes? T Shirt and shorts for outside work!
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Grand Canyon

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Always 1/2 full

15. Where would you want to retire? Georgia

16. Favorite time of day? Early Morning and late evening!

17. Where were you born? Morgantown, West Virginia

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Actually I gave up watching sports a long time ago.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Who Knows but htem!

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Hmmm.......!

21. Who are you most curious about their responses back to this? All of ya!

22. Bird watcher? Oh yes I am I love them too!!!

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Both

24. Do you have any pets? My dog Phoebe and 4 Manx one
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? It's Hump Day, so only 3 more days 'til the weekend!!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? Fire Fighter

27. What is your best childhood memory? My Grandma and everything she told me!
28. Are you a cat or dog person? Cat, dog, bird anything nature makes!

29. Are you married? Yes

30. Do you always wear your seatbelt? yes

31. Have you been in a car accident? No

32. Any pet peeves? People that try to get you to do their job!

33. Favorite pizza toppings? Pepperoni

34. Favorite flower? Lotus
35. Favorite ice cream? Strawberry

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? None

37. How many times did you fail your driver's license test? Never

38. From whom did you get your last email? Karla

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Hmmmm......!

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Not that I can think of.

41. Like your job? Love the patients can't stand the job! LOL!
42. Do you like broccoli? Oh yes and it hates me!!

43. What was your favorite vacation? To Manitoba last year!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My husband.

45. What are you listening to right now? Seinfield on TV

46. What is your favorite color? Orange

47. How many tatoos do you have? One double rose!!

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? Whomever!!

The Place I work/even though I would love to retire!

2009-07-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Hello all!! I work on a Behavioral Health Unit in Virginia. I have been there for almost 8 years now and I still love Psych! Work is not really that easy at times but the patients are so interesting and amazing. I know that we as a Unit take the best care of the individuals as anyone can. There is a saying on Psych that if you work there you belong there! LOL!!! When I worked hands on with the patients they would ask me why I was never there as a patient!! I would say hmmmmm.....not sure except they gave me keys and that's the only difference between me and you all! The patients really loved me!! It's unfortunate but I pulled tendon in my heel and had to stop working in the back hands on with the patients. Now I work as an AA (secretary) in the front and only see them when they arrive and leave out Unit. It took me a lot of years to get where I am!!
The leaves on this post is from a Texas Star Hibiscus.

Getting Ready for Vacation

2009-07-29T19:11:00.001-07:00

Hello: I just got settled in and am getting ready for bed!! That job that pays me money needs me to work in the am. Only 2 more days then i am on vacation!!! I am so looking forward to this one!! Headed to St Louis then Kentucky! It will be so much fun!! I have been blessed with several women in my life. We all get together once a year!! It's much fun!!! Well as far as flowers and the gardens go mine is in full bloom! Even the August lily's are up!! They are earlier this year than last. Usually other stuff in front of them has died and you can see them but not this year!! I just happen to spread some of the loose strife and there they were!! Surprise!!! The flower that I posted for today is the end of the Black Berry lily!! It is so delicate!! What you are seeing is the berries that fall to the ground and reseed!

2009-07-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all:: I had off work today and just relaxed and watch the birds and listened to my neighbor Bill holler and cuss his lawn mower. Bill is a nice man and he has a wife named Rose. Bill is a Vietnam Vet and he lets you know it too!! He would do anything for a person. I love it when he is out there screaming "SLOW DOWN" at the cars that fly by!! He does get their attention. He called today and told me he was on the internet on the radio and I could not find it!! I guess I will have to send him an email and get him to send me the link. The hummers were everywhere today! I cleaned out some sedum out of a few of the upper flower beds and they look so nice right now!! The deer have been around they got a few of the hostas. I guess they need something to eat too!! But I wish they would eat somewhere else!! I am slowly getting ready for my trip to Kentucky!!! I get to meet the lady that started a fantastic group that I am a member of!! She also has the Blog Kentucky Farm Girl!! So Darla watch out because West Virginia is on the way !!!

The things that happen to you in a hospital !

2009-07-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Evening gals and guys!! I am sitting her grateful for my life and mostly grateful for the people that my higher power has put into my path. A very different situation happened today that makes me sad and makes me happy at the same time. While I was at work I took a few minutes to go upstairs to see one of my friends that does payroll her names Kelly. Anyway we had a great conversation and I had to get back to work. I work in the hospital on Behavioral Health. I got into the elevator and then started back to the unit. The elevator stopped on the next floor and a gentleman got in. I looked over at him and he just looked so alone and so scared. I asked him how he was and he ran over to me and hug me and cried. His mom was very sick and they did not give her much time. My heart went out to him. It felt like he was so relieved to have gotten all that out so when the elevator stopped he just looked at me and said thank you so much for being there. I was sad for him. I was reflecting back to when my mom was ill and when she passed! So that was my day. Hope yours was okay too.