Florist Fun For Mother's Day

I was helping a special friend today, who does not have a car right now.  We were in town at the bank, when I received a call asking about my address.  I was hesitant to answer the woman speaking because no one was at home.  After a few moments of conversation, the woman explains she is trying to deliver flowers for me.  She is at the address that I gave her.  Well, I couldn't get home, and had left our sweet dog outside, who was barking at her.

 She was delivering from a Florist that was 25 miles away, so neither of us wanted to repeat the trip.  I finally said, put the phone out and I will talk with our dog and get him to sit down.  She said, "I'll try".  She puts the phone out the door and says "Here he is..." my cue to talk with him.  I told him it was okay and told him to sit down, in a stern tone.  She walked up to the door and sat the flowers down on the porch.  I asked if she needed to keep the phone on while walking out to the car.  She said, "no, he sat down next to the porch and just watched, still looking at the phone."  My friend and I laughed visualizing my dog looking quizzically at the phone trying to figure out where I was.  Shades of technology.

Back to the flowers.  

When I arrived home, there was the sweetest arrangement of Daisies and Roses with a pink gingham ribbon around them...

 Beautiful and simple.  

Thank you my son and daughter in law!  I love them!

Spring Time Fun

This spring I have had the fun working as my daughter's gardener.  It has been satisfying when people drive up to her house and say, "Beautiful yard!".  Hard not to get a puffed up attitude.  The Lord has blessed my efforts to keep her yard beautiful.
The front yard we started out with barren brick mail box.  I added 'Carolina' Jasmine on each side and replaced some lantana that had died over the winter.

Will show you later in the summer the results.

The front yard we planted some 'Kaleidoscope' Dwarf Abelia, it has been touch and go, but it has taken hold and will be great to show you when it is blooming. Great fragrance too.

We also planted violas and pansies for color in the beds. They have lasted until now. Getting ready to change out for petunias.

The back yard we put in 'Purple Hempstead' Verbena, with 'Mystic Spires' Blue Salvia, and Soft Pink Petunia, with some beautiful hanging baskets for one bed.

The Clemantis was on the corner wall, but we cleaned it up and put it on the Trellis.  It is beautiful seening the two varieties 'Henryi' and 'Barbara Jackman' together.

Will share with you as they fill out and I make some small changes as the summer progresses.  Yep, it has been a nice gift my daughter has given me.  It is nice to take time from research to work and meditate in a beautiful garden.

End of the Year... Hopes for the New

I have I neglected my family posting this year.  We have all had many changes, some happy, some not so happy, and some inevitable.

I am challenging myself to remember to post and take the time to visit some of my blogging friends to make myself relax from my hectic genealogy world a bit.

Thought I would share a few photos from this year.

While daughter number 3 was here from California they had a cousins sleep over. 

On Thanksgiving day, my beautiful mother-in-law , who was 93 years of age, left this world. I know I will see her again, but I am sorrowful for my own loss of her in my daily life.  It was always so much fun sharing my genealogy finds with her.

Boys' not happy with taking pictures.  :(    'tis normal. 

The youngest son helped trim the tree.  He spent 4 hours on Christmas eve getting the lights to work .
This year we put my  Holly Baby Angels  on the tree for the first time since the Hero died.  There is one for every child. 

My summer in Idaho. The oldest bought a 110 year old home.  It is awesome.  Inspired my son in law to put up his 'Ambassador' to Texas Flag he made. 

My second daughter's new home.  The light shinning through the trees looks like heavenly approval. I am their gardener now. :) 

The first Squash plant to survive the Squash bugs.  (don't like those.)

Granddaughter's first visit to the beach and I was there!

My first 2000 + mile trip all by myself.  and! it snowed before I got back to Texas!

I lost my last SD photo disc from my camera, so you do not see my trip to Oklahoma and time with my oldest son, nor my youngest daughter's home that they have worked for for a year.
Blogspot was doing something weird and I could not get the pictures fixed in the order I wanted... decided I needed to just post and not use as an excuse to procrastinate.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

CreativeGene Carnival, 122nd Edition "School Humor"

For the CreativeGene Carnival 122nd Edition "School Humor"
I can not remember any humor in my school days, but I have a funny related to my daughter in High School.
My Hero was member of the Optimist Club.  We had gone to a community class on how to involved the school kids in fighting drugs.  The Optimist Club sponsored at C.H.I.C.K.E.N. Club who's motto was 'Just Say No'. The name stood for C.H.I.C.K.E.N stands for "Cool Honest Intelligent Clear-headed Keen Energetic and Not interested in drugs!" 
They had a Chicken Costume for a mascot to wear at rallies and activities.  It was kept in my office.  I was the school nurse, and my oldest daughter was the vice-president of the club in her sophomore year.  

Her boy friend went to a different high school, 30 minutes away.  He was also a senior and had privileges of getting out early, etc..

One afternoon, thirty minutes before our school was let out, he came to my office.  (This was in the days before you had to go though a screening before entering the school)  The office personnel knew who he was because my daughter was a twirler and he was always with her, so they waved him on.
When he came in, he said he wanted to go to her class.  I had to say no.  The next thing I knew he came out of the bathroom in the big yellow chicken suit and was out the door before I could stop him.  There he went, all 6 foot of him looking like a big yellow chicken with red feet.  He went to her class and looked through the door, and waved.  He then ran back to my office and tore into the bathroom to change.  I knew he was worried that the principal was around, but lucky for him, the principal was off campus that afternoon.  I am supposing that the teacher didn't see the chicken and the kids just thought it was another "Just Say NO"  activity, because there were no repercussions.    

He has always been a funny bunny, but him in that chicken suit was one of the funniest things I ever saw.  Still giggle about it.  
She married him and he continues to be a funny bunny.   

Fun Musings

I am excited about the up coming movie called "Brave".  For our family, it is so like our own Crystal and RedBeard.  I have sat and laughed while watching the trailer because I have seen our Redbeard in similar actions.  And Merida, well, they had to have been hiding somewhere and used my granddaughter as a model.  She is the spitting attitude of Merida, not to mention look a like.  Look at my scrapbook page and tell me if you don't agree.

This promises to be a fun summer.  

Congratulations To the Second Place Winner of the Texas State Plumbing Association Tournament

You are always proud when your child has an achievement. Of course, he would be quick to tell me, he is a man, not a child. (smiling)

Loved this observer's tee.

Last week the Texas State Plumbing Association held their annual tournament for apprentice plumbers.  Each area could pick one.  My son had thought he was not going to be able to go as a classmate had been picked.  At the last minute, he was given the go ahead to compete.  He asked me to go so he could study the Plumbing Codes on the way up to Dallas.  Not a problem, I like seeing plumbing tournaments... just one question what is it? Do they joust with wrenches? or pipes?  Not exactly, they are given a blueprint,   supplies, a work space,and told to bring specific tools,

His work space

The first night they arrive, they are given an exam.  The second day, they have to perform a task with in 8 hours.  It was a challenging task. The contestants worked hard at it, then it was over at 4pm.  The son looked tired and worn out but had hopes.

He is working upside down

Judges discussing.
The judges examined the work, graded them, factored in the written test, then called all together to announce the two winners that would go to National Plumbers Association Tournament in Maryland in the fall.

Wait for it....

Choosing his prizes.

With head judge

He was not number one, but he was the second one, and only one point behind number one.  Not bad. He was the youngest and the last to receive the instructions. He still beat out the man who had been pick first from his area.  Mom was doing the dance and had her cell phone camera going.
Yeah!  You go son!

PS For mother's day he has fixed my sink and drainage pipes.  Not bad.

Great Ideas at the Nursery

For those of you who do not know, I have started working at the Nursery the Hero and I worked at before he died.  It is spring time work, and of course this is my favorite time of the year.  I love plants... well, selective plants; weeds, some, not so much.
Spring Gardens Nursery in The Woodlands, Texas  has grown and branched out since I last worked for them.  The owner has come up with several alternate growing methods.  Those who live here know what I mean when I say to grow organically in the ground in the south is challenging because of fire ants. His use of the strawberry pots and a wire arbor is great for someone wanting a small garden that looks fashionable. It would be awesome in a Townhome's patio.

Tomatoes, Cucumbers

His other idea was to use strawberry pots stacked for a floral display.  This is the beginning, I will share with you as they fill out.

Dianthus, Begonia, Purslane, Mexican Petunia

Yes I am having fun. It was hard the first day coming down, but my old friends were so nice.  it is okay now.