26,297 days ago....

It was a Monday...the temperature was 10 degrees and it was 26,297 days ago that me myself and I entered the world. First born to Eva and Giuseppe (Joe); I am named after my maternal grandma Grazia (Grace). I was not expected until February 14th.... but I was in a hurry to be me! Actually my mom Eva P was very sick with a terrible cold which resulted in my early arrival. So instead of being Fridays child is loving and giving...I am Mondays child is fair of face.
So many things/events have happened in these years.... I have been very lucky, and now here I am 72 years later.
Saturday I celebrated with friends...

l-r....Robyn, me, Sue and Rachel 

Robyn made a delicious banana cream cake

 We started with a glass of my favorite wine and chatted before settling down to cake and coffee. It was a wonderful couple of hours with friends!

My morning did not start out so pleasant. After making a blog post, I looked out to the lanai....

No, that is not a shiny waxed floor...it is a flood! Remember the irrigation line that was chewed? Well, I should made sure it was aimed in the  opposite direction.... when the system turned on this morning it shot out directly into the lanai! A mess for sure. Guess I will be trying to fix this like no

 These beautiful flowers arrived from sis Lynowl....Spring is in my living room!

Lovely cards are displayed on my mantle. I feel happy.... thank you to Robyn, Rachel, Sue, and Glenda for the cards and of course to sis for the flowers.....

Today will be a quiet day. I will most likely be yelling at the TV during the Super Bowl...Go Patriots! I  have a week to accomplish a few things and that is the plan for now. 

 So glad you stopped  by today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

A chilly morning....

Oh my I am chilly this morning..... but as it did yesterday it will warm up. My cup of hot coffee is just what I need.

Yesterday my Shutterfly book …."Mostly About Me" arrived...it is just as I wanted...not problems. Although they can be a lot of work, they are so nice to create. I will just share some of the pages....
That is me at 5 months old on the cover...

The first page is a short intro

                                  The back cover is just 2 dried sunflowers

My Maternal grandparents

Paternal grandparents

sis and me

The Brother Alan and me

Me and me

Me and Denny...our wedding

I did forget to include a few things that I wanted...maybe another book? If you have the opportunity to create one... you should. I nice way to document things and pictures for yourself or as a gift. This book has 20 pages and these are only a few.....I am already thinking of another as I type this!

Today will be another stash look and remove day. I managed to do a fair amount yesterday, so I can only think today will be another good day. Some items I had already passed the last time. It is a good idea to rethink and realize that they should go.  I think some of the magazines will go to the library re-sale section. With this nice weather I may even get out to the garden to do a little cleaning today...or tomorrow. What is another day right. Still have not seen the resident bunny...will think that he just moved to a different home.

Very happy that the elections are over and maybe just a few more days of listening to it all. Happy not to have 9 commercials in a row. Glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed this peek into my book. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

My days

Oh such lazy days...slow mornings. It is amazing how we change. Not just with the day of week or month of year or even the weather. I certainly have changed... not by choice for the most part. When I lost My Denny, everything did change. In one of the previous posts I quoted from something that I recently read. I would like to share the entire piece.
"The death of a spouse or partner is different than other losses, in the sense that it literally changes every single thing in your world going forward. When your spouse dies, the way you eat changes. The way you watch TV changes. Your friend circle changes (or disappears entirely.) Your family dynamic/life changes (or disappears entirely). Your financial status changes. Your job situation changes. It effects your self-worth. Your self-esteem. Your confidence. Your mentality. Your brain function. (Ever hear the term "widow brain?". If you don't know what it is, count yourself as very lucky). Your physical body. Your hobbies and interests. Your sense of security. Your sense of humor. Your sense of womanhood or manhood. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. CHANGES. You are handed a new life that you never asked for and that you don't particularly want. It is the hardest, most gut-wrenching, horrific, life-altering of things to live with."
I share this not for "oh poor thing", no,  just to share. I no longer get out of bed as soon as I wake...good thing. I no longer rush to do the laundry.... good thing. I am trying to learn how to do this or that and with some success... good thing. Being patient is not a strong point...not a good thing. Asking for help before trying when I know I need help... getting there. Some days are really good. I function at full level.... a good thing. Cooking meals.... good thing. Even getting gas for the car is easy now... good thing. I am so very lucky to have certain people in my life who care and check on me and help me, sometimes I do not have to ask for help. This weekend is the Faire that we, Denny and I went to for years. Last year I went for the first time alone. I admit it was hard. Driving there, shopping by myself.... but I did go and it was okay. I will go again and this time it will be easier. I will look for favorite crafts people. I guess what I want to share is that despite my off or hard days, I am doing well. I know the upcoming holidays will once again be difficult but I will be okay.
Thank you if you are still here visiting and reading. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for being a friend. Off I go... the towels have finished swishing and now need fluffing.

Santa and Reindeer food

This is the morning sky.... looks stormy to me! The hurricane off Mexico is going to affect our weather for sure. We go almost all year without any measurable rain and get zapped in October. Glad I have no place to be except right here today. Yesterday I visited with Dianna and we reviewed (for me) the how to for Shutterfly. I have started another book and seem to have forgotten a lot of the ways. Dianna makes so many she can do them in her sleep.

Another Santa beaded star is almost finished. Love making these cute guys. Just 2 more sections for him. It is getting near the time for Reindeer food packets to be ready and sent out to all he boys and girls who need them. Eli from Rhode Island actually reminded me that he needs a packet! So I will be sending one to his aunti Lisa (my niece) for him in time for Christmas. One is going to Natalia also in Rhode Island too. Do you know someone who needs one? If so, email me with the child's name and address to be sent. I will mail out in time for feeding.
Well, I know a few of you wondered where I have been... thank you for the emails . .. . I am fine, just having one of those days that lasted a few days. Thank you for caring. So nice to hear from you and nice that you take the time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and friendship. The aroma of fresh ground beans fills my kitchen … coffee is brewed and waiting...off I must go.

The day that disappeared.....

Today was just one of those days. I am so glad it is almost over. First let me start with the pond...yes the pond again. I have it off as I think, well almost positive there is a leak and not sure where to look or how to fix it. I guess I will hunt to find someone who does ponds. Then there was cable...or not having cable. Cox was unable to fix and I had reset it 3 times with no luck so an appointment was made for Friday afternoon. So on to the computer to watch the Senate hearings. I felt I had to watch and because I did I found something that was important to me. For the first time ever I was able to write some words in regard to the issue on paper and then speak with my doctor. Years of feelings ….the start for me to face the issue.
Then the TV service resumed so the appointment has been cancelled. Onto the next issue...I know, what next was my very loud out loud comment. Actually I shouted! The bathroom lights would not work. After I reminded myself that I knew how to solve this---  I reset the switch in the electrical box. So my friends that was my morning. All by 1PM!

Look at this lovely book on dimensional beading..... the designer/author offered it for postage on one of the beading group pages that I belong to. I could not pass it up as I am enjoying my latest beading projects. I did make an additional contribution as well as the postage. While The Brother was here I did not work on my Rose Star and today was just not the day to even think about it. Hopefully this weekend it will be completed. Tomorrow is a lunch date with Glenda.

A short time ago I posted a partial picture....here is the finished sewing project...it came out so cute. Lisa saw this (I think on Pinterest) and sent me a picture awhile back and asked me to make it...so after hunting down the pattern I was also able to find the exact same fabric as in the picture she sent and she was pleased when she saw it.

Good morning Oliver...that is the name sis Lynowl gave him. Here he is coming out of his home in the grass next to the pond. This means that I will be careful when cleaning with the rake in that area from now on. So far he nibbles on the grass but then there are no flowers to munch on...yet. Not sure how long he will reside here, but if he behaves he can stay...no additional bunnies wanted!!!!
Thank you for the nice comments on my new home additions. I have eliminated comments for this post but welcome private comments for now. 

Gotowy and a birthday

Gotowy...that's Polski for finished. The dark of the early morning and it is so quiet.....

When I left off yesterday there were about 10 beads to add to the second half of the pair and the ear wires. These are with silver and a darker red. Now that I have it figured out they are much easier to make and quicker too. Although beading with Delicas is fiddley, they look lovely and uniform in the design. What next? A couple more pairs for sure. As I have sent away 2 pair of Santa's and have only 2 left maybe a few more of them also. Maybe a wreath pair?
I used my new Grille last evening...

Hamburger with cheese and onions and peppers in a Naan bread panini sandwich. It was quick and delicious. The side is cucumber and tomato on butter lettuce with couscous and spinach....all premade from AJs Fine Foods deli. I plan a relaxed quiet day..... no errands... no doing much of anything...I am taking a day off. Well, there is one thing, I forgot to buy milk yesterday so that will be the only necessity for today.
Wow, what a response to my new haircut! Just wanted a change and I am very pleased. Thank you for making me feel so special!

 Today is The Brother Alan's birthday....we will celebrate when he is back here in just 24 days. The city slicker turned part-time cowboy is also counting the days! One of these days he will be here full time and I am certainly looking forward to that. We usually go for a wonderful dinner to celebrate Lisa's bday (April) and mine (February) during the September visits. Actually we just celebrate the whole week for any reason.
Right now however, I need a cup of coffee and some toast.....glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
Sis Lynowl is still not feeling well so please keep her in your thoughts for a speedy healing.

What is going on.....

Sometimes I wonder what who when and where and how....and not for English class. I should explain...
What happened in just a few days with my computer (desk top not lap top)
Who sabotaged it
When am I going to learn how to fix or better yet understand how to fix it
Where will I get help for it (Geek Squad?)
How is this going to end (kicking the damn thing might work)
There are times that I amaze myself with how I know what to do or understand things with the computer then like now, totally confused and must admit angry that I do not know what to do. Most likely it will be the Geek Squad that will be where I turn to. It is just annoying. Yesterday I could not upload photos from the camera that I have had for 2 years... I did perform this task on the 14th! Today I cannot access files! Today I cannot access any pictures from any file! Do I have time for this today? Well, maybe after the 11 am doctor appointment....maybe I can get the Geeks to work on this without taking the whole set up in to them. Frustrated when you are not  feeling your best is …. let's not go there. So this is my post for today. Clearly an unhappy gal who is not feeling great and …. of I go to get myself and the abode ready for the day. Hope you have a good.

So go figure, I was just able to upload this here.... this is why I am going crazy!

Taking the day off

I have been awake since 1 AM and just not feeling  okay so I will have a do nothing kind of day. 

Chat later.....

More rain? Really???

It hardly ever rains here in The Valley of the Sun in Arizona.... yet there is more moving in today. Not complaining, but I do hate to drive in it. People forget how to drive in the rain out here. I took advantage of the couple of days off to rest and put this cold out of my system. I feel much better; not coughing or stuffy. This is a good thing as I have work today. I visited Mr H in the garden yesterday when he was tending to the watering

It was so humid and hot that I was only out for a few minutes. Our Snail vine is just so full and pretty. The arbor is almost completely covered and it is only one plant!

Not sure if Mr H was trying a pole dance or just moving the umbrella! A bit of fun before returning to the comfort of air conditioning. Right now it is so cloudy and humid. For a land locked state, it feels very tropical out there. I did get to stitch a little yesterday. Taking it slow with the swollen hand. I am hoping to get an appointment for Monday for injections. I arranged to have Tuesday off so I can let the hand absorb the medication without working and using it.  We had a visitor~~~~~ again yesterday

 The Gila Woodpecker returned for more sweet hummer food. There is a full birdbath just beneath this feeder, but he prefers to hang and drink.His markings/colors are so nice.A bright patch of red on his head and blush yellow on his underside. He is about 9 inches in length. Just silly looking hanging there.
Starting a  Thimble Exchange ----- if interested let me know to add you to the list. If you join and wish to send only to the USA, just let me know.I enjoy sending and receiving from around the world. That is it for today. Thank you for your visit and the kind words. Have a wonderful day.