Snowing in April

Hollyhock leaves

Lilann's Monkey!

I look out my window and what do I see?

Snow, snow, falling so beautifully!!!

Only then I realize it is April and this doesn't happen in Texas that often.

So I grabbed my camera and ran outside to see if I could capture the flakes.

They don't show up too well unless you blow the pix up poster size but I can see them,

so I thought I would share them.

Poor tomatoes are doomed but the monkey likes it.

Hummers have been zooming around the feeder.

It is cold, but I now see how beautiful snow is on the top of spring blooming flowers. Gorgeous for an Easter weekend. Lets be thankful for the free cool air, next week we could be paying for this! HA!

Flowers before the cold snap!

Here is JD (Saginaw Firefighter) and his buddy getting all those bees out of our tree for us. I hope they are able to keep some alive. They are headed to a farm in Peaster.

Purple Pincushion Flower!

Snowball bush

Old Blush climbing on the front fence!

Old Blush coming over the back fence and the rejected birdhouse!

The beautiful Texas Bluebonnet

Zephrine Rose
Some of my beautiful flowers in my spring garden

before the coldspell moves thru,

even though my body says it is freezing already.

Poor tomatoes are already in the ground. I am just hoping they make it or I will be back at the store getting some more. Why does mother nature trick us every year? It was just a few days ago and it was almost 90 degrees.

Beehive YIKES!

Yikes! Look what I found in our oak tree today! I was sitting on the front porch and thought I saw a bird's nest and went to see why there were so many bees around it! Oh no!! What to do now!
Who ya gonna call! Beebusters!

I called hubby at the Firestation and he said don't worry about it. Then I sent him this photo. He then told me that one of the guys at the firestation is a beekeeper and he will be out Thursday to pick up the bees!! Wow! That is gonna be fun! I hope I am here to see it. I cannot imagine why in the world they would want to come here to our tiny tree. I am guessing maybe they lived in the area next to me that a developer came in and cut all the trees down to build more houses. Poor wildlife is just being pushed around. Oh yeah, yesterday I saw a baby deer in the clearing between the trees of the green area outside the kitchen window. And the day before a turkey trotted by on the lot behind us probably looking for a mate. It is nice to live out by nature for a little while longer and then a developer will come in to take over the land.

Wish me luck with my bees!!

I hope I'm not 92 before I can do this....

A good friend of mine sent me this today and I so needed it. I had to share it on my blog so that I can have it here to come back to often.

I hope I'm not 92 before I can learn how to do this.....

A 92-year-old, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. "I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait." That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied. "Happines s is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it." It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in> >> the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing."

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

I am adding another rule and that is:
SMILE and laugh often!!!!

Back from LA

Sprinkle cupcakes in Beverly Hills!! Yummy! We ate here the 1st and last day!!Baylee got to be on the former set of Friends.

Her she is with Phoebe's guitar.

Baylee with her favorite star, Johnny Depp! Baylee before we got kicked out of Louis Vouitton for taking this picture of the ugly dresses that cost over $4000!

Shopping on Rodeo Drive. (Melrose is better)

Muscle Beach, Venice!

Cold Water!

Johnny Depps Viper Room.

The best cupcakes in the world!!!

Outside our hotel! our myspace picture! HA

A star's mansion in Beverly Hills!

Our Bed and Breakfast hope. Sylvester! He is going to be in a new show on NBC called Life.

Danny Bonaduce at the Hardrock cafe! He looks rough but he is was very friendly!

Wow what a trip. I have drifted off to another Universe and cannot seem to return. Ever since we returned 2 weeks ago, I have not even been normal or even close to functioning. I feel so robotic. What did LA do to me? I have to get out of this fog. I think maybe it was the smog there or maybe the wonderful Sprinkles cupcakes. It could have been the fact that we were surrounded by strange. Maybe it is because I am still starstuck from seeing "Chandler" Matthew Perry and Danny Bonaduce. Maybe it is because I witnessed such materialism. Or maybe it is just the wonderful scent of lemon and orange tree blossoms. Whatever it is, I have got to find my way back to the sane world.

Spring Break!

On Monday the trip begins!
Yay! Mom, Me, and Baylee head to Hollywood.
Girls trip! Funtime!

Spring flowers need showers

My pink hyacinths are blooming. My purple verbena are blooming. My fringeflower is blooming.......... My pincushion flower is blooming. My daffodils have been blooming. My chickweed and dandelions are blooming (UGH not good).!!!! My, my, my everything is budding out and looking alive. I am hoping no late freeze but we know better than that, there is always a late freeze. I have been working to keep the vegies watered. We have not had a drop of rain in it seems like forever. I am going to have to do a rain dance soon! Ha! That would be funny. I dance like a chicken.

Daffodil Time

My daffodils are blooming!! I just love the first blooms of spring. It is a cool crisp morning and the flowers are happy and cheerful!

My new Project-Eastside Garden

Here is a before picture of the eastside of my house. I have been waiting for 2 years to work on this side. The area is very long and narrow, about 5 feet wide and 20 feet deep, on the edge of a 12 foot retaining rock wall. Finally, I have the gutters in place and am ready to tackle the project. It will be bursting into color soon and I will post a beautiful picture of the progress. I love the anticipation of what will become of this barren piece of land. When I think of the garden, I think of what is possible when working with a blank slate. The possibilities are unlimited, just like in life. Awesome! Spring is just around the corner, I can be inspired by the beauty God puts before us, right at our fingertips if we just reach out. Wow, I am feeling deep right now. My spirits are lifted by sunshine and warmth.

Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens

We went to visit Ben this weekend and visited the Moody Gardens Rainforest. It was awesome. It really makes me want to go to the real rainforest one day. I am definately adding that to my to do list.

Ben is doing great, he has a lot of ambition! I am so proud of him.

My new favorite song

Chasing cars by Snow Patrol

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

I don't quite know how to say how I feel
Those three words are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here

Would you lie with me
And just forget the world
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace to remind me to find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how
as well I just know that these things
Will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl

Happy Birthday to BayBay!!
You are a joy to have around.
There is never a dull moment!
Thanks for lighting up the world!
I remember how lucky and blessed I am every time I am with you.
A mom could not ask for any more!

Baylee's Sweet 16 party

Last night Baylee had her sweet 16 party (even though she officially has to wait till the 22nd to be 16). Anyways, she and 7 of her friends went to the Magic Time Machine. Joe Dirt was their waiter and Willy Wonka made a surprise appearance. We also got to see Napoleon Dynamite and Superman. They all had a great time and then came to the house for a sleepover. Girls have such drama!! I so remember being 16. That is scary too! Hahaha!!
I cannot believe my baby girl is going to be 16 this week and driving! UGH! Scary for me.

The long road ahead...upbeat or squashed?

The long road ahead will surely be as beautiful

as this but I just have to find my way there at the moment.

It's a BLUE DAY!!! I find it hard to remain upbeat in life when I am feel like I am being squashed!!! UGH!! I have also found sometimes you may think you want something and are ready to receive it but then you get it and you find yourself totally unprepared. Today I am distraught and confused and mostly just plain hurt. I don't want to feel this way but I can't get out of this terrible funk that I am in. Just last week I was doing awesome. I will find a way out.

Sunshine and 70

Baylee and Roby in the goofy mode!

I was made for this kind of weather. Monday the gutter guys arrived and put up the guttering on the east side of the house. Now I can finally make a side yard by the rock wall. Yesterday I put out about half the top soil and thru out some poppy seeds. It is late for that but I thought I would try anyway and see what happens. I love to experiment in the garden.

Mom and I have been working nonstop at the candle store lately getting some much needed remodeling in. It is looking great. I really need to fill my time up because I find myself drifting to thoughts of April, Kylee and Luke. If I keep busy it makes time pass and I am sure they will be calling soon.

Baylee got a car. She gets her license in 2 weeks. It is a cute little starter car and she is fixing it up. I am so scared to have her on the road without me. I do think that letting the kids drive has been the hardest part about having kids so far. Ugh!!! Danger lurks on those streets. A lot of her friends are choosing the wrong direction (popularity and partying) so she has been left standing a lot lately. I just hope she continues to choose the high road and not give in to the peer pressure of drinking and stuff. Teenagers have it tough, with lots of important life choices to make, one mistake and it could change their whole life, addictions are hard to beat.

Meme Book Tag

joyismygoal tagged me and this looked fun so here goes:

"Many of the secrets of charmed living relate to confidence, competence, and self-assurance, but awe and wonder are different. They come from what we don't understand and cannot reproduce. Self-esteem is the result of recognizing our personal power; awe and wonder come from recognizing our lack of it."
Creating a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran

This is my new favorite book and I am currently on page 213, the last chapter. I am hesitant to start it because I don't want to finish it. Do you ever feel this way? I need to go get me another book so that I don't feel lost.

If you read this you are tagged. Go to the book closest to you, turn to page 123, go down to the 5th sentence, post the next 3 sentences.

Dreamgirls Movie

Mom and I loved the movie. Baylee thought it was dumb. Jennifer Hudson gave an Oscar winning first performance. If you enjoy seeing talent and don't mind musicals then you will appreciate and enjoy this movie. We kinda laughed at it some but the singing was superb.

Sun is shining today! DREAMGIRLS Movie!

I am so glad to see the sun shining today. I was getting a little down with yesterday's dreary weather. I cannot believe how much the weather determines my mood and motivation. Yippee for sunshine. No more ice for awhile please and thank you.

Baylee, mom, and I are going to see Dreamgirls today. I absolutely cannot wait. I have always loved Jennifer Hudson since she was one of my favorites on American Idol. I will post later and give my opinion of the movie.

I am still in the decluttering, organizing, throwing out mode. I can't believe how much I have thrown away. Why do I have this junk that just sits around in the way? I am almost finished with the downstairs, only 3 more closets and a few kitchen cabinets, then I am moving upstairs to work.

This week is my second microdermabrasion treatment. I am ready, my face has finished peeling and I am ready to peel off another layer. We are like onions, layers and layers.

This winter hibernation has put about 5 extra pounds on me. I need to work in the garden. I need spring time. I need to touch the raw dirt. I need, I need. Just listen to me being so needy. I am just dreaming about the beauty ahead of me. I need to make my thawing plans.
I will post them soon so that I can look back and have a schedule to hold on to.

Finished 2006 Files

For comparison on my progress look at the bulging files on the January 8th post.......



Okay, I have finally finished cleaning the files. Yippeee!!! Now I can start my 2007 filing and be super de duper organized. Happy new Year to me! Looks pretty good doesn't it.

Ice ???? HA!!

Well we have been told there is an extreme ice storm coming for 2 days now! This doesn't look extreme to me and we have stayed inside. Melissa has been in town and I have told the girls we can't leave because the streets could become icy at any time. It never happened so Roby dropped them off at the mall for a couple of hours. No ice on streets yet!! Tomorrow is a holiday and school is out. Sadly, I will be taking Melissa home, we always enjoy her visits.

Declutter with Flylady

I have been working vigorously for weeks now and I am making progress. Here are some tips from the flylady about getting rid of stuff.

What to declutter? Things to ask yourself as you get rid of your clutter:

1. Do I love this item?
2. Have I used it in the past year?
3. Is it really garbage?
4. Do I have another one that is better?
5. Should I really keep two?
6. Does it have sentimental value that causes me to love it?
7. Or does it give me guilt and make me sad when I see the item?

We have just lived in this house for 2 years and it has already been filled up.
I am aiming for organization and empty shelves for 2007.

My head is still swelling on the forehead from yesterdays clutsy move. I have to be more careful, I was just excited about getting my bargains home and seeing how they look. I am such a kid with new toys.

First Microdermabrasion

Yesterday I went for my 1st treatment of microdermabrasion with Amanda at Essentials (of course). It was quite interesting. It took about 1 hour and felt like sandpaper scratching my face and then getting vacuumed off. Then she did some acid peels and then a quick shoulder massage, which felt awesome. She is terrific at her job and I don't know if I would trust anyone else. I have to go back in 2 weeks for my next treatment and she said it will be more intense. My face is kinda red and tight. I am hoping for good results to get rid of this dull skin and some sun spots.

The weather is a balmy 64 degrees this morning and there are some showers. A huge cold front is heading this way and it is supposed to drop to the 30's by tomorrow morning and maybe some ice Saturday night. I don't really care for winter that much. I am anxiously awaiting spring.

The gutter guy came out this week and gave me a quote on doing the east side of the house. He was a little shaken up on how he was going to get his ladder up there being that it is only 7 ft from the side of the cliff. He said he would have to do it on a less windy day and I told him on this hill it is always windy. Roby doesn't think he will call back to schedule us so I might be looking for another gutter guy soon.

Roby has been putting all the videos onto dvd's with our Christmas gift we gave ourselves. It has been so fun to watch them as they are taping off. I am hoping to find some funny footage to turn in and win money. Baylee likes seeing how she was at a younger age and she is finding out that she still acts the same. She is surprised to see that and I told her most of the time we act and carry the same habits as when we are born all thru life. Sometimes we improve and sometimes we develop bad habits but we basically keep the same basic characteristics. I know Ben would enjoy seeing the footage too because OH MY he is just the same. Quite an active guy and always interested in how and why things work. He has truly picked a great career for himself, it totally fits his personality and should be very satisfying for him in life. I am proud and hope Baylee can do the same with her choices. I would love to have some glimpses of how I acted as a child so that I can see what traits that I had that I still have now as an adult. I am sure I was a goofy kid with a gigantic heart.

Call ME

Well I was up all night, worrying, thinking, and just plain insomnia, and then some lady called twice at 1am. I was hoping it was April but no such luck. She is on my mind and so are Kylee and Luke. I miss them terribly. Please call. The picture of the phone is what I bought with the gift card April gave me for my 40th birthday. I think it is cool. Now ring please.

I worked myself like a hypermaniac today. Which was great because that left little time for thinking. I plan on doing the same tomorrow. Spring cleaning early. The house will be super organized and then maybe it will be warm enough to venture outside and do some work. Work makes time pass and it is good for the soul. I am tired and I am going to retire to the couch for some tv time.

Paperwork

Well here is what I am about to tackle, paperwork files for 2006. Most of this will be stored away for records and the rest trashed. I just love starting fresh. Off to fill the box.

We are Back!

We survived another Houston trip. It is so expensive to go due to the fact that we take Ben out to eat and fill the pantry and fridge. Then we make sure the laundry is done and the place is cleaned up nicely. It is work but it is worth it. Ben is a great kid with lots of ambition.