Joyous Tomorrows

This morning I went out to start planting the shrubs I had chosen to replace the rosebushes my daughter had lost to gophers.  Just the thought of having your landscape eaten by gophers was a new one to me. As I started to dig the first hole, I realized I had the wrong tools. A hand spade and small shovel would not work.  I had not dug in dirt this hard since I had tried to get some dirt for an experiment in the frozen tundra of Idaho in March of 2004.  Oh my!  It was time to get out the pick ax and the heavy duty shovel.  As I chopped and dug through the hard clay and rocks, my thoughts went to the pioneers that had gone to climates like this and had to create fields to grow crops.  Well, just the few holes I dug were tiring, can't even begin to put myself in their shoes.  Hats off to the pioneers! My young padawan was disappointed when I informed her that the tools would put her in danger and she would have to wait until we were ready to pu...

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 walki...

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 Clemanti...

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 die...

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 " C ool  H onest  I ntelligent  C lear-headed  K een  E nergetic and  N ot 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 minute...

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.  

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, ...