I am still here...

Hello friends, thank you for missing me. I took a few days off. First because the 21st was my first month without Denny and then to gather myself. Besides the blog I keep a diary separate from here and those thoughts , well it was best to take a break. I am here and over the next week I want to share some more of the embellishments on the banner. I had a love y day with Dianna and we did cut out the teddy...

and today I start to sew. We also went to a thrift store and  I found just the right book for my teddy bears

I will remind myself not to return there on a Saturday...so chaotic. Dianna found some good stuff too. Early last evening my friend Keith stopped by to bring me an embroidered something....

well, I can not show it as it will be a gift but he has a wonderful embroidery machine and I asked if he would stitch this for me. Then he helped me to send a couple of videos to The Brother Alan. Keith is a computer wiz....really what he does, sort of. Anyway, it was a productive day. Right now it is cloudy with chance of rain and very humid. I did get out earlier to vacuum out  18 gallons of water, then add fresh water back in. I also remembered to add the algaecide chemical. Cleaned the pump too. I think they will be going to a new home next week. I called an organization and the man said email me your address and I will come out to get them next week...so lets keep those toes crossed (the fingers will most likely be doing needlework) that he does come for them. I sent pictures to him. I actually added a few more stitches to Alice, but not enough to even notice. So I have been busy.  I hope to sew on the teddy bear. I have some yard work to do, but I will get out early each morning to rake, sweep, pond vac and such....too hot after 7 AM. I also need to get a new filter for the fridge ice maker next week and hope I remember how to do install. I watched Denny do it hundreds of times. How hard can it be? You will soon find out.
By the way...remember

I  decided to call him Harry.... just popped in my head and did not leave, so Harry it is.
Guess that about covers what I have been up to and what plans I have. Glad to have you visit with me and thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. I am trying to get back into visiting all of you...Let's have a good day.

So many clouds today

Cloudy outdoors and indoors. The weather is certainly an active monsoon but we have not had rain since Sunday evening. Maybe some later today? Glad that the air conditioning drain is fixed, one less thing to deal with. Yesterday I had a nice lunch out with Dianna and then to Lowes...we bought a plant ... Calathea..




the foliage  closes up at night. It is part of a group that is called the prayer plant.
During the light of the day it is full and open...

Don't you just love how plants react. Some of these flower but I do not think this is one of the species that does. It is colorful as it is....burgundy underside  with two-tone green leaves when open. Nice addition to the kitchen. Yesterday afternoon I decide to finally start a denim teddy bear using a pair of Dennis' jeans. Like a fool I stood over the table and could not cut into the fabric! Well, on Saturday, I will visit over with Dianna and she will help me get started.  I have been sewing since I was 10 years old and this is ridiculous ! However, I am making this teddy and that is it...just starting it at Dianna's.
Today I will be having lunch across the courtyard with Robyn and Dave...she is making a cherry dessert! By the way...notice that my posts are not as early? Just can not get going in the morning. Lazy is how I would describe myself and surprisingly I do not mind. I need to get to the Post Office this morning to mail a package that should have been mailed back in -----, well before.  Since Abby and Kate did not know about it, it is not too bad. They are daughters of a good friend in RI.
Before I show and tell about today's word I should tell you that I did stitch each word in the order that Donna had released them....except for number 11. It was to be Forgiving and at the moment of stitching I was not and not now in a forgiving mood.  Sorry if that offends any of you, but it is my honest feeling and it is what it is. So I skipped that word.
Today the word is Peaceful.

This word was stitched in Denny's last days with the exception of the "l" at the end of the word. I refused to stitch it until he was at peace. It was a short but long illness , from May 19th to June 21 when he was finally without pain. So late on the evening of June 21st, I finished the word and added the date.

Of course there is a tatted Denny's Angel and the token charm that reads You are my guardian angel on the right side and on the left

side is a charm Made with love....this truly is my love to Denny project. The stitches around the word are a new stitch I found which I have forgotten the name but saw it demonstrated on Quilted Arts. Done similar to a cross stitch but knotted in the middle. There are many embellishments on this banner and I will tell you about them later.
Well, my friends, from your kind words I feel that you have enjoyed learning about the Words of Affirmation banner. It really was a help once Denny became ill. And the finishing was special because we had planned some of it together. Thank you for stopping by each day and for your encouragement and kind words. Most of all I treasure the friendship we have and for the new friends I have found. Let's have a good day.
NOTE ~~~~~ the stitch is the Sorbello Stitch...

Seven Angels

I really need a push sometimes. Yesterday I finished the seven angels.... Denny's Angels

that is  a total of 9; one for me and Dianna has one and these will finds homes and I will continue to make several more. As much work as they are, I enjoy making them and each one is a reminder that Denny suggested this project back in March. There was a sprinkle of rain early last evening but no storm. The temps are not too bad low to mid 100's but this monsoon humidity is unpleasant. Today I will be meeting Dianna for lunch or a late breakfast-- all depends on when the air conditioning guy arrives and leaves. Should be a simple fix. I was too lazy to vac the pond this morning...or was I just making excuses? Actually no, I woke at 3 am but dozed on/off and decided to get up around 6 and by the time I had coffee and toast, well I got lazy. Still hoping to relocate them to another abode.
Today the word is Thankful.

To be honest, I was miserable stitching this word. What was I to be thankful for? Here  I was stitching this at Denny's bedside while he was dying. Then I relaxed my mind to better times. I was and am thankful for all the years we spent together. Denny's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. A gathering time without gifts. A time to enjoy being together.  He once told me that he was thankful for meeting me and that I married him. The crocheted trim with the pearl beads was a practice piece when I was learning the stitch. He said it would look good someplace on the banner. I was the thankful one for meeting him and lucky that he married me. He took such an interest in all that I did. I know he will continue to watch all that I do.
Wonderful to have time to chat with you. Thank you for the kind words and most of all for your  friendship. Let's have a good day.

Trying to stay srtong

I must say that these monsoon storms are really rattling me. Last night we had not signs of any and that was fine by me. When Denny was here he enjoyed the storms and I always thought if something happens he is here. The winds during the monsoon season are quite strong and the area around me had some tree branch losses and even half of a large tree came down across the way from me.

The drain from the new air conditioner has actually moved about 8 inches so they will be out Wednesday morning to check it. The yellow arrow is where it was and the red where it is now. Today it is very humid so the pond vacuuming will have to wait until early tomorrow morning. Inside tasks: the kitchen floor washed, the laundry done , oven on self clean and the house plants watered. Just need to check on the Lantana in the backyard. With all the rain it may not need any water today.
Today the word is  Strong.

To the very end Denny was so strong. He wanted me to be strong and although basically I am a strong person, it is difficult to be so now.  It seems everyone tells me how strong I am. I just received a card and note from a former employer which took me by surprise. We have not spoken or seen each other for almost 16 years. She wrote "You have always been a strong woman", thank you Mrs P. for thinking of me. The yellow rose there in the picture is for me from me to Denny. I love yellow roses and he always gave them to me. A simple border of lace along the top of the word because being strong does not mean you can not be soft too. Denny was strong but a softy....
It is great to visit with you. Thank you for the kind words and your friendship. Let's have a good day.

PS there are a few of you that I do not have your email so I can respond to your comments....I do not have Google+ ... if you do, please send me your email.... 

Monsoon really has arrived

Well, 2 nights of storms...last evening there was lots of thunder and lightening as well as some rain. With the strong winds (around 40 mph+) there had to be debris

This 39 gallon trash barrel filled quickly with stuff from the yard as well as out along the garage. Today there is more accumulating but with the sky first dropping rain then the sun popping out and then back in again, I will just hold off for now.  We seem to have these storms at night which really is eerie with the howling of the winds and crashing of thunder. Denny would love it...
Speaking of my Denny, yesterday I finally made the move to set him on the bookshelf as he always said he wanted. It really took a lot for me to do this, but I am happy that I finally did. Now when I look there, he is there. Of course that then led to rearranging this and that and out with the Pledge....kept me busy and little time to be teary.
Today my word is Compassionate.

As I stitched this word, he was unable to continue to chat with me due to the pain meds. I hope he could feel my compassion for what he was going through. He deserved so much better than what he endured. Denny always liked my tatting and this was another that we wanted to include . He did love nature. I added the pearl beads because they seem so gentle. The buttons of course are from my button jar.....he would tease me about all the buttons I collected.
A new friend who visited my blog sent me a lovely email and offered me some advice...thank you Melinda for your kindness. Thank all of you for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

After the storm

Around 5:30 PM last evening we had a Monsoon storm...the winds were strong...strong enough to scatter pots and debris around the yard and the rains flooded part of the yard.....puddles everywhere. The wind howled and whipped the trees and bushes. Then around quarter past 6 it ended. Today the sun shines and the forecast is for maybe another event tonight. I do not like these storms and it was worse not having Denny here to tell me to not worry. I also did not have to call him in from the garage doorway or the front yard while he enjoyed the storm under an umbrella.
Remember the beautiful flowers from LuLu and Stan

The lavender roses dried to a lovely mauve and I put them on a mirror that belonged to Denny's mother.

His mother gave me her mirror many years ago before she passed. She told me it was from the early 50's and we loved it...marred and all. I usually rests on my bureau and still will. LuLu and Stan are dear friends from RI...Lu and I worked together before I left to move here. Amazing how a flower will change colors ....still lovely and caring memories from my friends fro Denny.
Today the word is Faith.

Now I have mentioned this before (and occasionally received  negative comments) but we were not religious; yes we were raised, baptized and married in the Catholic church...anyway when I began stitching it I told Denny that I did have Faith that the angels would take care of him for me. He told me they needed to take care of me for him. So, they are taking care of both of us. I put a star with a rhinestone  in the center to signify that there will always be a star in the heavens shining from Denny. The tatted butterfly because he loved to go to the butterfly gardens and the butterflies always landed on him never on me! Yesterday was a very long day and too many hours in the darkness. I have been trying to tat today but the cut on the pad of my right thumb is nagging and sore. I think if it would stop bleeding it will be okay. I am pleased to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement everyday. Thank you for your friendship....Let's have a good day.

A busy morning

Feels strange post at this time...later in the morning. The reason is that I was out by 6 to vacuum the pond, flush the pump, add back in the 12 gallons of water  and add the algae chemical. Of course even though I did not take a pond shower, I did spill some of the lovely green water on myself. The dust storm yesterday afternoon brought all kinds of stuff into the yard and across the garage so that was swept up before coming in for a normal shower.  Then it was make hummer food and  clean 2 of the feeders and fill them. While on this roll I cleaned the aquarium and now I am finished.....also tired. Yesterday we had strong winds and a  dust storm....

this was the dust storm looking out of my garage toward the East. Nasty stuff. I just poked out for a second. Not something you want to be in walking or driving. The winds were actually howling at times. Not sure of the size  of this one, but they can be huge and very dangerous to be caught in.
Today my word is Patient.

This was the next word to stitch and  the first word I did when Denny was admitted to the hospital.....he thought it was so fitting as did I. A simple word. He was the patient and I was being patient even though I knew it was going to take more than I had at the moment. Everyday at the hospital he would ask what I was stitching and when finished asked to see it. They were long days and I was able to usually finish a word. The crystal beads are beads he found among my many beads. They make me think quiet and gentle. We have many wind chimes that he hung both in back and in front of the house as well as indoors too. I dangled these in that fashion...they hang quietly here.
Thank you for the lovely comments regarding the Words banner. I am happy that you have been enjoying the story and planning that went into it.  Thank you also for the kind words and emails and cards. Thank you most of all for your caring friendship. Let's have a good day.

Ready for more Monsoon

The rain we had Wednesday evening did not amount to much but they say more "storms" for the weekend, so here is my boat so I can float! Okay, so it is only paper origami....it is always the thought that counts. My thought this morning is to thank Keith for sorting out my computer issue yesterday...good neighbor and friend are they; Keith and Al. I tatted on 3 of the 5 Denny's Angels yesterday but they will all need their halos before picture time. I also cleaned another of the cupboards in the garage....I own 7 fry pans...that is right and they are all different sizes. I also found a set of sauce pans (not needed) and the Waffle Iron and a Cool Daddy (also not needed)...guess there will be a Fall Garage Sale. I still have the upper cupboards but this is getting done slowly. A conversation with sis Lynowl earlier this week and she asked me what she could send me...I asked for and got my favorite Rhode Island biscuits..

Palmieri Bakery Pepper sticks....not one bag but 4! I will tell you that I can eat one bag a day easily...but I am behaving. They are not available out here in Arizona. I wish I had the recipe for these....wonder if they would share it? Be right back....
I had put a small wash in and it was ready to leave the washing machine..in this heat you can not leave clothes in the washer too long. The garage is not air conditioned.  Anyway., on to the Word for today is Caring

It can mean to feel love, feel concern and protection. I certainly felt al these with Denny. I miss his smile that said I love you....his holding my hand which gave me protection and his worrying about me.

He loved to plant roses. Back in RI we had several lovely bushes in our garden, out here he had little to no luck. His favorite was the Lincoln Rose....When we sorted through looking for embellishments he asked that I include this someplace...my tatted rose. I told him maybe  I should make many to hang in the garden...he rolled his eyes....but it is here. A rose for my Denny.
It is very cloudy out today, I think maybe I should make a fleet of sail boats! Glad to chat with you and thank you so much for the kind words and for your Caring thoughts for me. Thank you most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

A little bit of rain

Around 6:30 last evening a downpour...first rain of the monsoon season around here. It lasted about a half hour. This morning is clear hot and humid with winds expected. So, the umbrellas will probably remain down for awhile.  Glad I went to the market yesterday so I can stay put today. I woke around 3 am-ish with a light headache....I am already feeling better but I would rather just try to relax today.  By relaxing I mean a little tatting and needlework of some kind. Keeping my hands busy. Yesterday was re-arrange the houseplants and re-pot 3 African violets. I then forgot them outside in the heat... never said I was good at re-potting...that's right Denny did those things. One of the plants that has a new spot is my spider

 I have brown tips on the spider plant so I trimmed it and thought a change of scenery might help. The stand is just under the master bedroom window and on the bottom is The Frog...

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I fell in love with this frog a few years ago and Dennis bought it thinking it would go outside...no, indeed not. He has lived on this stand in the kitchen with a different plant. Now when I sit in the chair of business, he stares at me but at the same time he makes me smile. Smiles are good. His name is Prince...as in kiss a frog to find a prince. Denny told me not to bother as he was already my prince. Sometimes gems flowed from his mouth.
Today's word is Blessed

In the dictionary it says that blessed is bringing comfort or joy. Denny brought both to our marriage. We laughed together so many times and we cried together. He was my comfort and joy. It simply has a green button to match the thread......simple.
I really should fiddle with the pond this morning, but it really is very humid and if I have issues then I just might do away with those swimmers! Anyone have pond or very huge gold fish bowl...there can be yours! I must get on with my chores, vacuuming and laundry. Then on to tatting or whatever needs a needle. It has been great having you stop by...a new blogger stopped by and her name is Sally Ann over at My Tiny Home...stop by and say hello. Thank you for all the kind caring words you send to me and most of all thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good day.
 

Being Kind

Well, it seems that things around Horton House are getting taken care of. Don was here yesterday to finish the sprinkler system drip lines. The only plants I need to water are those in the large pots and with the exception of one or two, they are not watered everyday. I talked  to a pond company and to our landscapers asking if they could find a home for the pond fish. I will be sorry that they will go, but I am trying to make it easier for me. Denny I know understands he himself some months back said that if anything happened to them we would not replace them. The little hummer continues to visit the lanai each day and stays for a few hours.  The new feeder remains popular with a couple of them. Yesterday was a bit of tatting

 5 of Denny's Angels got their dresses now to finish with the bottom row of tatting. These will each have colored beads....red, blue, southwest, green and gold. When I first made these in March, Denny thought they would make nice gifts to send at Christmas. Then while in hospital he reminded me to be sure to make them and send them; hence they are called Denny's Angels. I enjoy the process of tatting them and think of him with each one.
Today the word Kind....

The dictionary describes kind as being gentle. My Denny was a gentle man.  He was kind to me, sharing all responsibilities and spoiling me.  He loved his garden and was kind to all the creatures. If he lifted a pot and scared a lizard, he would actually feel bad. He especially wanted the hummer feeders to be full at all times and the birdbath kept clean for the other birds. He worried about the bunnies even though he loved the coyotes. So the word kind has a hummingbird and bunny charm. He was a very kind man. 
Today will be a tatting day and I still want to start a teddy bear. I want to do so many things but then my thoughts get in the way. So, I will sit and enjoy my coffee and waffles (no, I did not make them, they are frozen...although we do have a waffle maker). Thank you for visiting with me today and for the kind words and emails. Most of all thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good and be kind to someone.

A cloudy morning

Whenever I have something to do in the yard (which seems like everyday) I try to get out there around 5:30. It is already light but the sun is not bright or heating up my yard. So, today I though, good a cloudy morning. Out to trim a couple of plants and then to repot 3 African Violet plants ...another first for me. Most likely they will be d-e-a-d by the end of the week. Then to sweep up the overnight debris and before I knew it, it was 6:15 and time to water the indoor plants. I have not visited with the Aquarium tenants yet! Yesterday was a very busy morning: First I had to call the landscaper because the sprinkler valve was really leaking...so he came took it apart ant fixed it. Then as he was done Don came to put the new sprinkler heads and drip lines in.... I had already did my morning yard job and struggled with the pond and pump. Before it was all done and I was back I the house it had been 3 hours in the heat. Of course then the headache started and before you ask, yes I drank ice water the entire outside time. When the temps are 100+ you know it is a must. I immediately let Denny know that this is a bit tiresome in the heat. I am seriously thinking of finding a home for the fish then the pond will be much easier for me to handle. I tatted another Denny's Angel top so today the goal is to Hair-pin lace the dresses. This will make 9 that will be completed.

Today is Precious.....my 47 years with Dennis is so very precious to me. I miss holding his hand and he mine. The beads on this are Turquoise and some others. He loved Turquoise and bought me several pieces of jewelry,  just recently in April a pair of earrings. I added the star button just because.

Sunflowers were one of his favorites.....so I took apart an artificial flower that he found and found the glass bumble bee and voila...a sunflower appeared.  The bee which is hard to see is dimensional... and oh so cute. All of a sudden I am hungry...already had my coffee and an English muffin. So off I go to find something else. Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.....

A new week

Yesterday I actually stopped for gas...I know so what. It is a big deal for me as this was my second time. There were three guys at the next pump; they had a truck towing a boat and a car. One of the guys noticed my hesitation and he stood with me to make sure I was doing okay. He said, "we live in a crazy world but there are good people too" He was indeed a good and caring person. I am lucky to always be around good people who care. The first time and the last, was June 17th...so, at this rate I only have to deal with gas once a month. Today is clean the pond day...I wish there was someone I could find for this task.  I hope to get out there real soon before it gets any warmer. Right now it is partly sunny but no rain expected....just heat and humidity.
Today I will start with the Words explanations...

I stitched all the words in the order of release but laid them out my own way. The first was Love...just right for us. I embroidered the date of our wedding on the patch, and added two pink hearts. Pink was the color for my wedding. I truly fell in love at first sight and he with me. We were fortunate to have a caring loving marriage for 47 years. I put our wedding picture in a tatted heart. and hand wrote our names . That is a Token of Love charm next to the heart. Dennis thought I should add the crocheted flowers with seed beads someplace on the banner....right at the top.

In the crocheted circle I attached our original wedding rings...again with a pink ribbon. I am on my 4th ring...and last.

Denny really hated to take his off but due to the edema had no choice. He asked me to take it home and put it back into the box and in my jewelry box where it has been. He told me how happy he had been being married to me and that the ring reminded him everyday. When I started this banner Denny helped picked out some of the embellishments and thread colors. This truly was a project of love for me.  Donna has since the start of this project released other words and just this weekend 2 more. Tomorrow another word and embellishments. Today a little more Denny's Angel tatting and maybe poor neglected Alice will sit with me. Right now, I think it is time to get outside and clean the pond. Thank you for visiting with me and for following my new journey. Thank you for the caring and kind words and most of all your friendship. Let's have a good day.....

Words of Affirmation is complete

Well, at this point it is. This project as I mentioned before was started a few months before Dennis passed. He was very much a part of color, embellishment and ideas and also where to hang it. I thought I would show you the full banner and then for the week or so pick an area and tell you about it.

It is about 13 wide and 36 long. Denny thought it would be good to hang it on the closet door...a place where we would encounter it many times. His plan was to mount it differently than I did but for now this is how it is hanging.  This truly was a labor of love for me to work on. Each word has a special meaning for me and also because Denny really liked the project and gave input. By the way, it looks crooked but it is not...I guess I stand off kilter. I say it is complete and it may be so. However, I may find a charm or two to add. There is one thing I did not make yet...a yo-yo. Dennis mentioned it would be nice to "put one of those cloth circles" on it. I had a busy day yesterday. Dianna and Bob came by so Bob could fix the running toilet....Thank you Bobby! Then he also hung my new hummer feeder in the kitchen window out of the sun and helped with my front walkway. Dianna and I have been friends for a long time (worked together at Jo Ann's) and even worked on projects together. Now I can add her Bobby to my list of caring friends. I have been overwhelmed with the caring messages and kindness of all. Don stopped by to check the watering system to help me make some changes. It will make my care of the yard easier.
I love my Dragonflies and I received 2 beautiful pins.

This one is from a long time Rhode Island friend, Janet.  I will always think of her when I wear it.
Dear friend Glenda saw this and thought of me....

So pretty. Cards, messages, flowers/plants and emails have brightened my days. Dennis did not want any commotion. "Just cremate me and put me in a box on the book shelf with Sherlock and Zoe (our pooches). No service , maybe you could have a party with balloons (he loved balloons at parties). Having him home with me has really brought it to reality. I am never really alone~~~~~~

A package arrived from cousin Janice (in RI)...

Is this not the cutest thing! He/she is solar powered and has an on/off switch at the tip of the nose. Part pipe, part metal and a glass bottle for a butt....just too ~~ too cute! Now I need a name for he/she.....it could really be either. I must tell you that at 3:30 this morning the winds were crazy. One of the closed umbrellas fell over, the bushes and trees were whipping around as well as a few other yard things. Now it is quiet....not a leaf is moving and it is cloudy...after all, this is Monsoon season so maybe we will get rain??? or not. I have been working on Denny's Angels and hope to start at least one Denny Teddy Bear soon. I always liked keeping busy and more so now. Did I mention that I have one more cupboard in the garage to clean? It is the cupboard with the cooking stuff...pans and things. Did I mention I found the last (I hope) electric drill which brings my collection to I think 4. I know there are way too many frying pans out there. Yes, he enjoyed gardening, electronics and buying pots and pans for his cooking. I think a Fall garage sale is in the works! For now, I will straighten the house, make my bed and get a bread dough ready for baking tomorrow. Right now I need my coffee and my tatting. You are all so special tome...thank you for the kind and caring words and emails. Most of all thank you for the love and friendship. Let's have a good day.💖

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.

Maternity ward once again open

I am loosing count of the Mourning Dove nests but there is another one....

back on the wall clock. In all the 12 years in this home we have never had this many nesters in one year. I have not really paid too much attention so I do not know when the nest was completed so delivery date is unknown...I did notice that more of the sphagnum moss form the front door display has been missing. The pond finally has it's lily pads..

Pretty...plastic lily pads for shade and hiding for the fish. In this picture they do not look very large but trust me they are. They are doing okay but I still need to vac out some algae. Luckily they do not mind it. This Fall I will replace the covering over the pond as this one is tattered and faded from the heat and sun. (you can see the reflection in the pond). 

The Words of Affirmation project has some progress.....

it is a working layout and I am still gathering embellishments. All the stitching of the words to the backing and the embellishments will be by hand. The backing will be by machine. Today I will look through the bead cabinet to find what I need want to add. Denny loved turquoise and I do have some. At 3 O'clock this morning I did the final trimming on the words so it is ready to go.  Today I will be making some hummingbird food for my new feeder....

my caring friend Dianna Lynn visited on Tuesday and she bought one for herself as well as for me. I will keep the other 2 where they hang and this will go right outside my kitchen window. It is a double decker....and because the perches are so pliable the woodpecker and house finches can not should not be able to land on it....but who knows. the first of the Denny Angels has gone home with  Dianna... there are more to make and give away. One will go on the Words banner and one for my tree...and....who knows where they will be flying off to. They have strong wings. I have strong wings....Yesterday was the first time that I was out and about. I had a follow-up with our PCP since the high blood pressure problem and all is good. The Office staff lead by Debbie, CNA Amber and dear Dr Mohan were sad and missing Dennis by my side and they all signed a lovely card personally noted by each of them. I also brought the magazines to the pain management doctor, Dr Paul who told me that he really liked Dennis and would miss him. I have been comforted by so many caring friends. Cards have arrived and even some gifts...

The vase of roses (they are gorgeous) is from Lu and Stan back in RI, the bromeliad is form Robyn and David across the courtyard, the feeder and a lovely "crying " hankie from Dianna, and a lovely dragonfly pin from Glenda and Don.Thank you all---- here and near and far away for caring and thank you for the loving and kind words. Your true friendship means so very much to me. 

It's the little things

Yesterday while outside dealing tending to the pond, I found myself thinking Denny would tell me that I was feeding them wrong...he often said ....now tell me, how is dropping pellets into the water wrong?  Anyway, I plopped them down and the fish as usual just ignored me.  My thought is if they eat they will survive, if not , oh well.  Just those little things that pop into my head.  As I cooked the ravioli for my dinner I could hear Denny say "save some of the pasta water like Lidia does" (Bastianich).  While watering the few plants in the garden that still are alive he would say be sure to give them enough...those little things he would say.  In the afternoon we would watched a movie and it would always be my choice, well he would offer 2 and then I would pick one.  There have been no movies in the afternoon for awhile now...maybe I should start to choose 2 to find one...those little things.  Whenever I sat to do needlework he would ask "what are you working on" even as he was in the hospital he would ask.  He always took great interest in what I was creating.  He thought there was nothing that I could not do with my needles.  I have not picked up the needlework since that next day.  Today I promise myself to finish those angels...no one is asking.... those little things.  I did finish the last of the Affirmation Words...

This project has been so helpful in this difficult time.  Each word was so appropriate. He approved each word as it was finished at the hospital.  It will be finished in his memory for Denny and me.  I have to believe my Denny is finally at peace.  His last day was not and I could do nothing to help him.  Now I wait for me to find some peace.....

All most back to normal

Although things will never be as they once were we are moving forward. Thank you seems so insignificant to how we feel. You have all embraced our problem and send so much love.  Sending Denny cards to cheer him as also cheered me. Bloggers are wonderful. Some time ago I purchased this from The Heard Museum in Phoenix

 It is a Native American Worry Basket. It is hung outside or just inside as is mine of your entrance and you leave your worries in the basket upon entering the home in the basket and hopefully forget them when leaving. It is never good to bring negativity into the home. Of course mine is symbolic, we do not write them down on slips of paper , but everyday I jingle the hanging bells as if leaving my thoughts and concerns. More so now. I am feeling a little better about all the meds and oh that needle! Even that is okay now. While we were busy starting a new life....

Some fine feathered neighbor decided to help themselves to construction supplies! The nerve of some people! birds! The Doves are settled in their new nest in the wall basket in the backyard and Mr H just nodded when I told him. If you cannot beat them let them be. We can watch them from the kitchen window. I will sneak a picture soon. I did manage to do some stitching last week...not as much as you would think sitting there all day, but

Patient and Faith are the latest. How ironic that the first words apply to Denny and me at this time. This project has taken on a new meaning for me and I will continue to find time to make a few x's each day. The next word is Compassionate.  A few weeks ago I found this nice journal...

It has been sitting on a shelf I in the craft closet. My original thought  was to use it to write the many quotes and saying that I collect. Now, I think I will use it to journal this new experience and turn in our lives. I will still share here as so many have asked me to continue...thank you.... but this will be for maybe a few private thoughts. The clock is reading almost 9:30 "AM and that means that I, Nurse thegraz  ( the name Denny has called my for 47 years) will be on duty for meds. So, with that I will say again, thank you for the caring and kind words and for your friendship. Have a great day.