I am still here.....

Thank you for asking, and yes, I am still here. Things here at the Horton House have been a work in progress. For two years it has been just me.... now there are three of us.... all new. It is one thing when people come to visit and then leave and another when they stay. There are different ways of doing things and schedules and … well you know what I mean. Alan is on a temporary schedule. This week he is using my car to give his a rest from the 3,000 miles it travelled to get here. Speaking of getting here; the Pod is arriving today.... sometime between 8am and 8pm. Alan will be off tomorrow and that means we will have a sofa and chair in the living room! Then the task of unloading will keep them busy. Alan has insisted that I do nothing with this unpacking.

I am still trying to decide on what project to do next. My mind has not yet settled to choose. I have been spending time outside reading each day. Today is starting with quite a breeze... almost windy. At the moment it is around 77 and should reach low 80s... a cool down.

This past weekend Alan did a garden clean-up. I told him I wanted a kitchen garden (Dennis and I planted one some years back which has gone lost!) so I decided where and we readied the spot. So far...Oregano and a Mum are there!  It will be just outside the garage service door which is off the kitchen. The Oregano is 2years old and really doing well. Sorry for the sun glare. I decided that it is not breezy, it is windy and it is flowing thru the abode nicely. I think I will work in the garage this morning. Still a few things to do. I am having hip/back issues today so it will be a take it easy type of day. Always something for those of us growing on in years.

to my friend Dianna who is celebrating her **th special day in Hawaii.

Once again I am asking that you continue to keep my dear friend Don (and Glenda too) in your thoughts. Glenda has expressed thanks for your special thoughts and prayers.
Okay, off to the garage.... thank you for spending time with me. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts and for your friendship.

Thank you!

My birthday celebration started on Saturday with good friends and ended on Sunday with the  Patriots wining the Super Bowl. I am thankful for all the good wishes here and on Facebook. Always nice to be remembered. We had rain all day yesterday but the temps were good so the doors were open for a time. Today... not sure what the sky will be like. I do know that around 10ish I will be outside with the electrician. Our HOA is installing new security lights around our community.... so hoping that the skies will be clear so we can get this done.  Right now there is swishing happening in the laundry area. The Bissell will take a walk around the place and then it will be something crafty happening later today.

Now for the sports report..... I have been a Patriot fan since the 1960s when they were then The Boston Patriots.... and not a very good team. Well, times have certainly changed!

I do not like the new logo! Anyway, this is the second time that they played the Super Bowl on my birthday and they won! Happy Birthday to me! It was hard to watch it without My Denny. Many times we watched the same game in different rooms! Both of us yelling and thinking we could coach the game. This morning are all the armchair coaches and quarterbacks.... time to switch the channel. I am glad Denny got to see a Super Bowl win before he passed. When I was talking with The Brother Alan and Lisa yesterday morning, Lisa said " I am wearing my Patriot shirt. I commented that I thought there had been a Patriot sweatshirt in the closet but not so...Lisa was wearing it! Family 💟No, it was not the most exciting game, but nevertheless it was another ring and win.  Is it May yet?...that is when they will be here visiting … I have been adding to The Brother List to do. It really is not a long list because some of the thigs are just eventually to do things. 

Thank you for the good wishes with the upcoming had surgery.👌 I will go crazy not being able to create!

Time to fluff the laundry and get chores done. It is always so nice when you visit. Thank you for the kind words and friendship.

I light a candle

Every day I think of you and wonder what if.... 

today I light a candle remembering your birthday.

My heart is empty without you.

We are apart too soon 💔

I love you My Denny and miss you so.

I miss your voice

I miss your touch 

I miss your smile

Sadness fill my heart  today.

My love is yours forever.

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.

Thank you

Thank you for the many birthday wishes.  It made a difficult day easier.  The day started with a birthday post form The Brother Alan.  Glenda and I went out for lunch and the restaurant served a special dessert, a warm blueberry muffin split with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and lots of whipped cream......we came home to find a mystery balloon from the "Birthday Fairy" on the front porch, later to find that Robin (across the courtyard) had placed it there and then brought over the warm brownie with a candle..... the door bell rang and I was handed

this beautiful vase packed with blooms from sister Lynowl. All in all it was a lovely day. Then as evening arrived so did the phone call from Dianna singing me Happy Birthday! On Friday the mystery package was a special birthday gift from my niece Tonya. I was finally able to reach someone from the company who told me they forgot to include the greeting ...Happy Birthday Auntie, Love Tonya. Tonya remembered that Dennis loved cardinals and so she chose this indoor water feature with that in mind. Also on Friday the Shutterfly corrected book "My Denny and me" arrived and I could not be more pleased with how it looks....so all in all it has been a lovely birthday.
Now about my leg....I have been awake since 1:30 AM with aching discomfort. The ice pack has helped a little. Finally I will be able to sleep without the compression stocking tonight. That may help to ease the ache. Glenda and I will return on Wednesday for procedure #2 and then we start again. I am so lucky to have her helping with this. I keep telling myself that when this is over I will feel better.....I will feel better.
Needless to say I have not tatted or done much of anything else. Today I hope to load a shuttle and tat while sitting outside in this fantastic weather. The Doves have been here but not to either of their half built homes. Not a clue as to what is going on with them. I think I may try to close my eyes for a few more hours....thank you for your kind words (and birthday wishes) and for your caring friendship.

"Life is hard as it is. Too many rough roads to travel. Too many chains to untangle. But no matter how cruel the world may be, life becomes less hard when you got a good friend."......unknown

Has it been a week???

Goodness me, where has this week gone and where was I while it was on it's way? Thank you for emails of concern, but I am okay. I know I was with Glenda one day and dinner one night (made a delicious chili), I know there was a doctor appointment and I know that I was with Dianna yesterday for breakfast and lessons...and I do not have any needlework to show for the week....I did no yardwork but the house has been cleaned.
The replacement Shutterfly book arrived on the 23rd --finally--- and it was not corrected, in fact they changed the cover color. This first project has been off to a bad start. Dianna (who is very experienced with them) helped me yesterday and she spoke with them for me. So now I will await their email then re-submit the book and it will cost me nothing. I also have extra pages and it may be that I have another free book coming, not sure so I will once again contact them to clarify. Dianna really gave me lessons yesterday and I am confident that I will make better books in the future.
The mail arrived yesterday with this....

A birthday gift from Debbie. Knowing the mail delivery service and customs, she sent it a week early but I had to open it now! The cheerful butterflies called out to me....

The back round you see is a perfectly fit for my table, table topper of Sugar Skulls! There is a color yourself notepad, and some labels in a sheer pouch and a beautifully made pouch with tea bags.

Debbie and I still email everyday. She mentioned that she was sewing and that she was doing this or that....and it was for me! Thank you so much Debbie and Laurie for my surprise package! I love my gifts. I would never have believed that I could feel close to someone who lives so far away, who I have never met in person, ...in another country even! I am very grateful for her friendship.
Today I must...... repeat must work in the garden. I have a few plants that need extra attention and the pond for sure.  I also have tomatoes to pick and beans. Forget the "alien" Snail Vine...it is still crawling everywhere.  The Doves are still under construction.... very slow to accomplish anything out there. I really have a job to do out in the garden.
My tatting has been an issue. Lesson: if feeling distracted, do not tat. Simple as that. Nothing more to say on that subject.
The doctor visit on Tuesday went well. The first vein procedure will be February 1st and then at least 2 more after that. Still trying to keep my blood pressure in check, so far it is good.
Well, here it is almost 4:30 and I definitely need a cup of tea and I think some toast. Having you visit is always so nice. Thank you for your kind words and your caring friendship. 

A special day

Happy Birthday to The Brother Alan! I have posted about him on several occasions and he is the co-author here on he blog. Although he is 11 years younger in these recent months he certainly has filled the roll of Big Brother. When he was planning to visit Dennis would always say...Alan proof the house!" because he has the reputation of ...well, let's just say things can break. Of course when he was here in June I was the one who broke something and he has not let me forget about it. Alan will be here soon, September 19th and I am so looking forward to the visit. He will be taking care of some business things but we will also be sure to take time to enjoy Scottsdale and go for a wine tasting and just relax and enjoy one another's company. So join me in wishing this guy a very happy birthday!

Oops...knives and carrots

First, thank you for the birthday wishes yesterday. The day I dreaded. I know, it is just a number, but saying 70 is, well, I will get over it. It was a quiet day as Mr H was not feeling well. On Wednesday while I was attempting to cut carrot sticks to have with my lunch

The carrot rolled and this 8 inch dagger cut me! My thumb was useless for all of that day and really most of yesterday. I think it has finally stopped bleeding. Mostly because I keep it bandaged and not using it! So, needle in hand has been very limited. Blood on linen is not desirable. Never realized how many uses my left thumb has....

Work with Alice has been nil, but here is where I am. Almost ready for the next page. Forget any tatting, as my left hand would not talk to my right hand and they must be friends in order to tat. All around, the last few days have been filed away. Moving on....this is Super Bowl weekend so my TV will be on in at least 2 rooms...the watching room and the recording room! Yes, we can be fanatics with football. Plans are to stitch or tat or both. Who knows. Now that I may have a left thumb again, the needle shall fly! Of course there is a distraction...the weather. Temperatures in the low 70s (there is that number again) invite outdoor sitting and mind wandering. Actually the garden needs a freshening. Rather stitch! Well, as it is almost 4 AM and I have been up since 2 AM, it feels like maybe a rest on the sewing room daybed is in order. then again, I really could get a start on the laundry and my bread dough is almost ready to bake.......the daybed sounds about right. A short nap before the day is in full swing. Thank you for spending some time with me and for the kind words and friendship. Have a good day.