Oh what a morning.....

Actually what a yesterday and a night which is now morning. I started out yesterday for the mall specifically going to Macy's. As I was driving I was going past my PCP office so I thought I should just stop and make an appointment as I have not been feeling all that great recently...a month.... and inquire about a flu shot. Well I guess it was the right thing to do.  Yes I could get the flu shot, but first a check on my blood pressure. The MA took it twice and looked concerned and gave a shout out to the NP and it was taken again with a different device. Next thing is that the NP strolled in to chat. He was very concerned that my BP was extremely high. A quick impromptu exam and the heart was okay and questions answered and yes I would be given the flu vaccine but was then ordered to go home and rest... do nothing or at least as little as possible for the next few days. I need to check my pressure daily and write it down and return next week...or if it continues to be as high return sooner. No stress is what I need right now.....okay. Shortly after returning home, Robyn....across the courtyard called and hubby Dave was bringing me a dessert. Just what I needed.

….I could not wait to have my dinner so I could munch on this...but the good news is, she sent 2 pieces so now I have another for today...delicious.
I have not been idle ….

The wings of the dragonfly are finished.... now to do the body. The colors are so pretty..... jewel like. Before beading the body the perforated paper needs to be cut away so that might be today.
At the moment I am having my first cup of coffee and holding ice to my shoulder as it is very sore and a little swollen. The count down for The Brother Alan is in full mode....about 26 days... and I am trying to get things ready.  If the weather would only cooperate I can work in the garage. I decided that I would like to hang a hummer feeder outside my bedroom window. Oh and the AC issue, well now the filter is an issue.... always something but I am trying my hardest not to feel ruffled in any way.
An update on Eva P... aka mom.... she is doing better. This lady who will be 93 in December has 9 lives. Thank you for the good thoughts sent her way. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Thank you most of all for your friendship.

It is a rest day....

When the temp at 5am is already reading 89, you just know that it will be a hot day..... they say 111, we shall feel it for sure. Feeling it to be a slow do nothing kind of day. Once I fill the front birdbath and the both hummer feeders that will be the extent of outdoor fun.

Voilà, all the beading is complete. Now to think  how to finish it. So many beads! I will check Hobby Lobby for a square frame.... this is abut 5x5. Next will be a couple of Christmas beaded pods for gifts. I also have a Mill Hill kit for a Santa.... for my tree that I would like to get made. Today will be a rest day for my hand and eyes.
The Pond Garden is under going another change. It would appear that I cannot plant in it because the water will not drain nor evaporate quickly enough. What I did not take into consideration is that it is a cement pond...so therefore no drainage. If I want it to be a garden it will require a jack hammer to break up the cement... not going to happen. So, it will be an ornamental garden. Some pots and maybe a few other items.
Today is July 1st and also Canada Day. To my dear friends, Debbie and Laurie in Canada, enjoy the celebration.  Time is moving right along so that means one month less in the count down to The Brother Alan's arrival in October.
Well now, I think another cup of coffee is in order and maybe something to munch. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind and caring words and thank you for your friendship.
Please keep my friend Glenda in your thoughts as she just had foot surgery. I know what you are thinking...she was here for tea and Pizzelles on Wednesday and surgery on Friday but rest assured, there is no connection with my tea and Pizzelles!

Movies and floss

Tuesday was a hot day .. a reminder of what is yet to arrive. Today is starting at 75 and going to the triple digits. Monsoon begins the 15th so we know the winds, Haboobs and rains will begin. The AC kept me comfortable while in the house. The one errand I ran to the Hyundai dealership...a wasted hour... was all I did. Part is on order and waiting to return. I decided to do some "cleaning out" of a closet shelf. I found some letters and cards from when I first moved here! All had lovely notes in them, so of course I reread them and some brought smiles and a few even tears. By the time I finished I was feeling overwhelmed. That task is now complete. Next will be to go through the many movies and CDs that Denny had. I have my favorites so those I will keep.

 This shelf has a double row of movies, some are sets like the Bruce Lee box set.

These two shelves ae CDs.. about  200+

These shelves have DVDs.... the top shelf is double row and as you can see, some are sets. The bottom shelf are Disney DVDs... and other movies...Denny was a movie buff. Does anyone still watch movies and listen to CDs besides me?
Still have much to do about closet/garage/storage organizing. My goal is to completely empty one of the large garage storage units. I need to get to Lowes to add to my wall rack in the garage. Later today I plan to get at the floss... remember the boxes of floss?

This is what the inside of those colorful boxes looks like. All the floss is in numerical order, in individual floss bags, on a large ring and kept by category number... for example: all the 100s, the 500s and so forth are together. Always able to find what I need. Since I am not doing any (at this time) cross stich, I will be de-stashing all these, all 5 boxes. A good sit by the TV  in the cool of the house and pick what I want to keep. Unlike sorting the letters/cards this should go quickly... no nostalgia here. I have a few months to get organized.
That is about it... I am taking a mental health day.....
Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

King of the Fountain

Okay... it is hot this week. Morning temps have been in the low to mid 70s when I wake.  After a week of comfortable below normal temps, the hot is here. I did a walk about yesterday morning and came back into the AC ASAP. Then took a quick ride to the market for a few needed items and right back inside. My Plumeria is doing so good. One of Dianna's plants is getting ready to bloom. I do not see that happening here...yet, but I will cross my fingers for a bloom.

Today I learned to bead a Puffy Triangle Drop. I just grabbed colors without too much thought and it looks okay. Not sure what I will do with it, but always eager to learn new things.  My next new beading will be a beaded needle case... thanks to Catherine who sent me the wooden needle case and link to learn. I still want to make the bumble bee bead but I am still not fond of the technic in the directions....my bee just did not look very neat. I can be too fussy but what can I say. I will try again.
The Dove nest is still empty...but...

here he is, the King of the Fountain.... the other day one was sunbathing in the bottom tier and one in the top tier... this one is sitting on the top bubbler! The Hummer feeder is still not back in the tree. The ants are still so many. I may try spraying the branch so they cannot or will not cross it to the feeder. This is the first time in 15 years that I ever had an ant problem in a feeder.
Today I have an appointment to have a couple of minor problems with the car fixed. Usually when I am there for service it is only an hour so I just read. It has been good having you to chat with. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Saturday and one more day...

Friday is over...and not too soon. The day started okay..... instead of waiting for the House Faeries I decided I best do it myself while I can. Received the call giving me the surgery time for Monday... will be 1 PM Arizona time. All in all I will be there about 4 hours. So far I have done well getting organized for being right hand incapacitated. More to be done today. Getting some meals ready is not like me....do not like having too many things in the fridge already prepare but it is what I need to do. Tried using the left hand and a knife for cutting up vegetables...let's just say it is on the list along with climbing a step ladder. Yesterday afternoon it was out of my courtyard into the next to attend a celebration for Bob's 80th birthday. Rachel set out a nice spread of Hors d'oeuvres and a selection of wines.... good friends and nice chatter. Once back home I decided to do this and that. One of the that was to finish putting a print into a frame.

Into the garage to get the frame. I reached into the top of the cupboard and the frame came apart...evidently the backing was not secured to the front.... result a small but nasty cut on my wrist. Took quite a while before it stopped bleeding through the Band-Aids.  Dealing with someone else's blood is one thig, mine is a different story.Really sore today. So I stopped all that activity right away.

Yes, it is the Bottle Brush tree in front of my house but look closely...there is my Gila Woodpecker.... see him yet? Camouflaged with the bark. When he is getting ready to swoop down for a drink he calls out very loudly from the tree.

Then he hands and drinks. Yesterday his mate came along but was took quick for me to capture I picture. He is very entertaining hanging and swinging.
The craft cart is away and out of sight...so I will not feel tempted to try to do anything for the next few weeks. A few books are on the table waiting to be thumbed through...yes I do read on my tablet but these are in hand books. Sometimes I really like the feel of a book in hand. Trying to find a few good movies.. I am so fussy... to watch.  I found Agatha and The Truth of Murder....should have saved it! It was quite good.
Off I go to cut up veggies and make some chicken soup. Tomorrow I will swish clothes and fluff them. I admit to be nervous about the surgery.... anytime I have general anesthesia I worry. It usually take a little longer for my body to be rid of it..... guess I will be napping until Tuesday.
So nice that you took time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Where is Spring?

It was cold last night...and this morning... where is Spring? We had some lovely 70s temps and now this; temps in the 30s overnight and only 50s during the day! I know compared to other places I am lucky to have such nice weather ad I do feel lucky.

This bright yellow daisy greets me this day...full bloom with more buds yet to open. As I stood there taking this picture, along came...

A small butterfly! So you see him? I almost missed it as it blended right in. the birds are chatting and this House Finch stopped by

They just love  the Hummingbird nectar. The Woodpecker stops by almost everyday too as well as a few other birds.
Speaking of "Spring.....Spring training starts here in Arizona in 2 weeks.... the traffic will be crazy and the restaurant full. Since I will not be driving for a couple of weeks that is okay. About that.....
I had a phone call form the surgical center. "Mrs. Horton, may I call you Grace?" Yes I replied. " I am the nurse here at the surgical center and was just reviewing your paperwork" (All which was filled out on-line and submitted.) I hear a giggle. I asked if I did it incorrectly. "Yes, but, no ….(there was a hesitation) you did fill out that you are pregnant!" What? Where was my mind during that part of the forms? We got it all straighten out and I am no longer pregnant. Sis Lynowl said she would nix the baby shower!
Tomorrow will be going to market for last minute food stuff and then I will prepare some things over the weekend. The nurse reminded me that I would not be using my right hand for a week or so and I should make things easy. Dear Debbie has made great suggestions for me.
It certainly has been nice chatting with your today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

A vine for the window

So glad to have finished the window.

It is just how I wanted it to be...amazing, I know. We sometimes envision something and in the end it is so different or not as we like. I struggled with the nuts on the vertical mounting. After 14 years they were not coming loose too easily. I was determined to not fall through the window and not fall off the step ladder and with my trusty pair of pliers and a few whacks, the nuts loosen and off they came. Then it was time to  put up the rod brackets. You guessed right if you are thinking I had never done this before. I have come a long way these past 19 months. The brackets went quickly and then for the middle support....I called Glenda for advice and then that too was up.

A quick trip to Michael's after receiving an email with a 60% coupon "good for today only". they had the perfect vine … it is a grapevine style which I attached to the 3 vertical brackets that were left. I had already purchased 3 bunches of lavender sprigs and took them apart to be single sprigs and voilà...finished. The vine will remain and the sprigs changed out for the seasons. The window is pleasing to me and a nice look for the kitchen.
Met up with Dianna and Bobby to get something to eat on Friday night. Good conversation and great company.
The weather today is beautiful ----sorry to The Brother Alan and all in New England area--- and the front door is open and the sun is warm. The birds are chatting and enjoying the hummer feeder. I am thinking of hanging another feeder outside my bedroom window. I am feeling brave with the step ladder. I went to use the drill yesterday and it needed charging and it will be ready to put up a hook. The other drill is ready but I cannot get the screw bit out! It is locked in really tight. So, I can wait.
Happy to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Lazy days

These last few days have found me in a lazy mood. I  think the most that happened was going to Fry's and Safeway food groceries. Other than bread, milk and eggs I should have all that I need for the month of meals. I am so far successful with my quasi planning of meals. This morning has been laundry and coffee so far. Plan for the day is making Pizzelles and some Almond shortbread cookies. I think I will leave the yard until tomorrow morning. See what I mean about the lazy part? Oh and the pond needs some attention. Tomorrow for that too.

this is what I found when I went out to open the umbrellas yesterday morning...one of the supports has disconnected itself from he fabric. Guess this week it will join the blue one and meet the trash guys. I now have one semi-functioning umbrella and that is not long for this yard. I was hoping to get through the rest of this monsoon season before getting replacements.

This teddy that I made from Denny's jeans is now living with sis Lynowl. She called to say it arrived safely and as she did not know she would be getting him she was very excited. The other special package will arrive on Tuesday in Rhode Island and I hope it will be accepted with as much joy. I will be mailing out the Denny's Angels soon.
I was asked what size my footstool is. It measures 15x11x9 high. I think I will add some padding and for now keep the original cover. I found a staple gun and staples in the garage and have some batting so this should be a quick task.
The hummer is busy this morning chasing away any other hummer who comes into the yard. I need to make more nectar for the feeders. I did try a different feeder at the window and again some bees started to drop by so this is it, there will be no feeder at the window. I had it there for a couple of weeks originally with no problems and now it is like a magnet.
Have I mentioned that in 2 weeks The Brother Alan will be here? I have saved a few tasks for him. there will still be time for relaxing and enjoying the weather before he returns to the New England Autumn weather.
Time to unload the dryer and make the bed and do some chores. So happy to have you visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. I am a very lucky gal to know you all.

A slow start to my day

It is expected to be a hot day again, around 109 so indoors is the place to be. Shortly I will get out to water a few of the potted plants and that will be it. I have a few Denny's Angels getting finished today. Yesterday was the Day of the Bees

this was just a few of them. At one point you could not see the bottom of the feeder! It was so bad that the hummers could not feed. The bees managed to drink a full cup of nectar in a couple of hours. I read on line that you should remove the feeder for a few days and they will forget where to return(?) The feeder is down. Someone also suggested to rub Vaseline on the feeder....not heard that one before. I have had feeders in our yard for 13 years and never before had this issue. This morning a few are hovering around the area then flying off. It is not like there are no nectar producing bushes in the yard.
Thank you for wishing The Brother Alan a happy birthday and the nice comments on the picture I added to the sidebar. Did I mention he will be here on September 19th? I must share this...I had read sometime ago that using auto window wash for the outside of the house windows will do the job. Well, the other day I did...I washed 3 windows and it was super easy and quick. I do need to get a new squeegee though. I have the 2 sliders and the kitchen window left to do. This has been another of my firsts...that's right Denny did the windows.  Slowly the first of this and that will be gone. Oh no, I just looked up and the hummer is at the window looking for the feeder! I will not break down and put it up...no no no. There is another feeder across the yard and out front.

The Origami Cranes have moved into another window and the Black Crow followed as did the Ballerinas. All part of moving things around.

changes (plural noun) the act or instance of making or becoming different

Some changes are necessary in life, some are just good. Yesterday I decided to move and rearrange the DVDs and CDs that we I have. Denny was an avid movie fan and together we have many movies and lots of music. However, some of these I do not watch or listen to so it makes sense to me to keep what I do like together making it easier to find them. This is not to say that I will not watch or listen to what on the shelves, just not my favorites. I have not yet attempted to even use the Home Theater  set up. Instead, I am perfectly content with the TV set up. Still trying to learn how to get more than 4 radio stations! Well, that about covers what I have been up to and now to finish my coffee and after a few household chores I will tat angels. Thank you for the kind words and thank you for your friendship. Did I mention The Brother Alan will be here on September 19th?!

The Hummer moving in?

For nearly 3 hours this cutie moved into the Lanai. We have a bunch of twigs on a shelf and I guess it was a good place to rest. There are also some of these twigs in a vase closer to the middle of the room, these are quite to the back of the room. Last year frequently the Hummer would stop in to rest on the other twigs. It was another hot day so although the area is warm it is not as hot as being outside completely. Dennis loved when they stopped in to visit. Still have not hung the new feeder higher....everyday I say, "I should get out there and hang the feeder" and everyday I don't. I had a teary day yesterday...nothing seemed okay. I did clean off the shelving unit in the garage and put together donation items. My friend Al stopped by to pick them up. Amazing the things I find....oh, and...another drill, a sander and some other tool. I really think opening a tool rental shop will be something to think about! I did work on the Words banner...want another peek...

a tatted butterfly. I have one last word to tack down and then a few more embellishments before adding the backing. Today is trim the trees day here in our community. Three of them right here in my courtyard. A bit noisy right now. My coffee is ready and so my friends, I will say thank you for all the kind words and for caring about me. Thank you especially for your friendship. Let's have a good day where ever you are.

Stitching but no flushing

The master bath toilet is not in use at the present time. Dianna and Bob came by and Bob will pick up the necessary part and return this week to install...not to fret, there is the main bathroom and all is working there. I had the landscapers look at the back yard water system. All is working but the main turn on valve thing has a leak...of course. You did not think this was going to be simple did you. Dennis had not used this system in years preferring to water all by hand. Not me, simple is what I want  need. He will return one morning this week to remove and then get the proper part. The good news is that the watering system can still be used and will turn on at 7 AM each morning. All I will need to do is water the pots which do not have to be watered daily. Denny I hope is smiling down on my progress. In the meantime, I have been working on/off of the Words banner....

a little peek at how it is coming along. I am pleased with my choices and relaxing in the progress of it. There is a reason for each embellishment and my thoughts for the words. I plan to have a letter on the reverse side to explain it all.  Remember the new hummingbird feeder...

I know, but I had to sneak up to the window to catch him....he is there on the left on the top section. The bottom is almost empty. I still plan to hang it higher and out of the sun...just need to get the mental note to climb a ladder to so. I fear falling from the ladder, always hated climbing ladders. I think I can use the smaller ladder...now there is a thought. We are back in a "heat wave"...I did not realize it really had passed! Now there is mention of some Monsoon weather approaching. The yard is finally all raked ...hold on a second. I just ran out and the system did come on....now to redirect the watering....that will be next task. Off to Lowes this weekend for parts. I have been enjoying listening to music...remembered how to use the sound system that we have. Today the air conditioner gets a check and I even managed to check the filter the other day. Outwardly I am moving along, Inside is a different story. Thanks to all the support I know I will be fine and have to remind myself that it will take time. Thank you for the caring and kind words. Thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

I am not a plumber!

Denny, why did you not show me and teach me to do the plumbing?! I thought I watched Don carefully when he came over the other day with Glenda and he fixed...thought he did....the toilet running. This morning at 3 am it started and although I did what Don di...it worked for a short time....besides putting my hands into the pond I discovered that I do not like touching the inside of the toilet tank. Not only that, but somewhere along the lifting the tank top and jiggling the things inside I cause a lot of water to puddle on the floor and then got down on my hands and knees at 3:3o to clean it all up. Not a good start to the day. Well, at least I will have a nice visit with JeanneG. I will be going to visit with her this morning and the promise from her of a hug. I finished another Denny's Angel this morning since I was awake and raring to go....not. I also did a bit on the Words project. Hope to show you that in a day or two. The hummer has been visiting the new feeder so for now I will not relocate it to the higher hook. The house finches have discovered that they can not perch on it...so off to one of the other two they fly. Santa is finished---

all trimmed and backed with red felt. The changes that I made.... you know I like to add a bit of me....is to the beard. I did a modified Turkey stitch and I used and iridescent Krenik thread for the hat  trim on his pom-pom and the and brim as well as the coat trim.  I also used black Krenik for the belt and shoes and a gold Krenik ribbon for the buckle. Love his beard! Denny never got to see this finished...but he liked the ideas that had for the changes. This is my special "deh Santa".  I know some of you are concerned that I am eating and sleeping well. I am eating as I can cook, just never had to. As for the sleeping, well that is still an issue. I have progressed to going to bed the last 2 nights without all the lights on.  There is always a night light on in the bathroom, living room and kitchen so it is not completely dark. Some progress being made.  Guess I better get a move on . Need my coffee and breakfast and a couple of household chores before going to JeanneG's place. Thank you for the continued kind words of encouragement and the emails and cards. Most of all than you for your caring friendship.

Looking ahead but looking back

I look at this rose from the flowers Lu and Stan sent...I see such beauty but also deep thought. The lavender of this rose is more beautiful than this picture shows.....A new month today and I am trying to look ahead and move forward. Not yet my mind tells me....looking back is preferred. So many wonderful memories of times long ago and also in the not too past. Forgetting the most recent memories because they are too painful. I know that they are also important but I must file them away for now so that I can move forward because I must move forward. All that I could take care of has been done and now it is a waiting game of sorts for things to fall into place and until they are all in place I remain in this limbo. This morning I looked out to the yard and thought ---- oh my, Denny would have a conniption if he looked out here. The trash barrel is in view, debris not yet swept up and disarray everywhere. then I remind myself that it is just too hot to deal with it.  I could go out at 6 am to clean but not enough ambition yet to do this. No, instead I will lazily putt about the house stopping in between the straightening up and my needlework. I remembered how to use the stereo system so maybe some music for company. I guess I did pay attention when he showed me. Still have one phone receiver not working...someone suggested it may need a battery. I thought we had an extra battery someplace. So many things I still have to figure out or find. A bright note, yesterday a hummingbird came to the new feeder....and he has been there a few times this morning again.

It is just outside the kitchen window so I can easily see it. The other 2 are still in place, one in the Sweet Memory tree in the backyard and the other out the front living room window. I do have to move the new one and hang it higher and out of the mid-day sun. That will require the ladder, a drill and a hook as well as "s'' hook extensions which will be a ride to Ace or Home Depot and that is not today. Time for my coffee and corn muffins just out of the oven. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words, emails and cards. Most of all thank you for the caring friendship that you share with me.