Stuff

Have finally caught up on some sleep--sure it is the time change---hope my clock catches up w/the time change. Really enjoyed the Interior Decorating event---lots of fun ladies sharing their Holiday decorating/not decorating ideas. Bought a nice metal/tile topped reading table and will pick it up after the Holidays (they had a display set up on it.) 

Up early this AM and off to 6:30am Mass at Blessed Sacrament. Air so nice and crisp, 33 degrees, no breeze. Talked to one of my favorite MN people on the way home, picked up a newspaper, put on some soup, and plan to sit in front of fireplace (w/chair full of "boys") reading and watching the Chiefs whip up on the Broncos today. 

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN

Surprise, surprise, woke up to rain, thunder and lightning! Will I ever be able to get outside and work in the flowers? Have to be real creative to abate the boredom of four walls. Thanks heavens for the "boys" antics. They are such great company.

Back from Mass, thinking of filing some paperwork, and thinking about not filing some paperwork---real conflict going on---Will I or won't I file?

Hope your day goes well, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Changes

Okay---remember seeing blog responses saying--"NOOOOOOO" when I mentioned adopting another dog. I have realized that 4 dogs are too much for me. They all get along great, Fonzie is a delight, 1 to 2 years old, lots of energy, and really sweet. Remember Pop was here to share the "fun" of the initiation of the other 3 "boys." Kind of in a state of funk to give him back to PALS. They will pick him up this evening. I also feel like a silly old fool doing something so impulsive. Be good to your silly Mom---she is a sad girl---silly but sad.

Keep healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Snow, Blow,and Go

Having a heat wave--14 degrees, snowed last night---waiting for some daylight to get that snow blower/shovel plugged in and going to clear walkways.

Glad I went to Mass last night. Also, went downtown yesterday to tour the new Intrust Arena. Checking out the seating to see where I will sit to see Elton John and Billy Joel on March 3rd. YES, YES, YES!!!!---I got the ticket as a Christmas present.

Nice day planned today---having some friends over to play cards. Plan to fix apple crisp and just have crackers/cheese and fruit plate (also M&M's/nuts). Will probably play Canasta and break into the Mexican train game. Thinking about joining a ladies card group--they meet at a restuarant (Tuesday) weekly at 11:00am for lunch and play cards until about 3 or 4:00pm. There is a also a monthly evening meeting, one is not obligated to play each week, and as of now will try to attend 2 times month. It beats the doldrum of this cabin fever I am plagued with. I'll see how this all rolls into my "busy" schedule.

Is it Spring yet? Looking through Web plant catalogs itching to get started with the soil digging and planting. This is almost like a trip---Are we there yet???

Okay, I see daylight---must bundle up and be about my snow clearing duties. Hope your day is bright, healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Quiet on the home front

WOW, the sound of the silence in this house is haunting. Loved having Thanksgiving here and very thankful for the family members who were able to travel. I thank you, the "boys" thank you. The "boys" are still in lounge mode from all of the activity and company---they are definitely attention hounds.

Went to Mass yesterday evening, 38 degrees/windy this AM, planning on chilling out today, reading, possibly a nice afternoon nap, and hanging out with my pup posse. Plan to call dentist first thing in AM to see about repairing my broken tooth. Will more than likely maintain a pumpkin pie and Cool Whip diet until tooth is repaired.

Enjoy your day, staying healthy, being safe, and keeping in touch.

Love,

Mom

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Family members are gathering at the house--their Rottweilers are at home guarding the home fronts and all is well. Off to Mass this AM (Mass said this AM for our family at St Pat's), shopped for some last minute food, ate out, and bought some board games--in particular suggested games such as: Blokus, Whoonu, Mexican Train, and 4 decks of playing cards. We are ready. Plan to clean out game drawer tonight and throw away all of the old worn out cards.

Got a call on my cell phone message today from Ori while LJ was fixing the kids apples (could hear her in the background). He just left a voice mail message--great to hear his voice, unsure of the message, but enjoyed it just the same.

Hope your day has been great. Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,
Mom

Ma's Trivia

Returned from Mass and cooking up some oatmeal. Real cool here this AM--even though it is 65. It is breezy, overcast, and low humidity. Plan to work inside until it warms up.

The "boys" sure like the cool weather----I wake up with 3 of them plastered to me in the mornings. We are all symbiotic---sort of "feed" off one another---I provde them with food, attention, warmth, and shelter---they provide me great distraction and I am glad to have the little yappers--at least that is how it rolls here today.

So that's it for me---for you the usual mantra to stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Where is that Boy?

The old question---Where is Kurt and why isn't he anywhere to be found? Thought for sure he would have made it in by now with the stepping stone seeing that he was going through St Louis at around 7:00am yesterday. Bet he did stop in MN and is having coffee with Kat as I blog. We need to map out his route and do a where's Kurt (aka Waldo).

Had a nice first evening outing at the "event" in Augusta last night. Great company, saw some dear friends, listened to speakers who not only talk the talk but walk the walk, and had a great visit with the parish priest. Got home around 10:30pm.

Worked in the yard most of yesterday--did get some plants moved and new ones planted. Woke up to a cool, gentle rain this AM. Plan to enjoy my coffee, read, mess with the "boys", and chill today. Hope your weekend is going well--- ask all to stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Just Days

Back from Mass, having coffee, watching a humming bird flutter around the hanging plants on front porch, and planning the rest of the day. Great day, weather is beautiful, no wind, 67 degrees.

Busy day yesterday. Got vines (sweet autumn clematis, lace vine) and 3 beautiful ajuga plants. Stretched netting over the arbor, spread top soil around low areas in the yard, getting ready to lay out the pathway to arbor and put the vines/plants in the ground.

Have more to share about the path and arbor. Received an e-mail from Linda yesterday and asked her if I could pass it own. "Soon after Pop passed away mom and I discussed an idea for a stepping stone. I pictured a cross with an outpouring of "Ray(s)". The attached picture is what she designed from my description and created in stain glass. I wanted you to have something that represented Christ at the center of our lives, His outpouring of warmth (love) for you and something that represented our love 'For Sonny Days'. I hope that rather than be a painful reminder of loss you see this stepping stone and remember the wonderful life you and Pop shared for so many years. "

Thought this would be a nice ending to today's blog. Love, Mom

Birthday "Boy"

Headlining Buster today on his 8th birthday. The day is open to what ever he wants to do (am hearing grumbles--"What's new')--Have taken BD pics just so you also can experience the excitment going on here today. (Caught Spencer turning his backside to Buster to avoid the excitment since no food is involved in the deal.)

Returned from Mass and breakfast with some of the Church ladies. Have grown to find them truly enjoyable, faithful and wise women---good company. Was hesitant to join the group when first invited as they are all widows and I was (and still am) not sure what the term "widow" means. I really hate labels---just want to be me-- haven't figured out the large empty spot in my heart for all the other losses in our family. Trodding through these days, keeping busy, and distracted with tasks---that would be me at present.

As for you--- stay healthy, be safe, keep in touch, value every moment of the time you're given and treasure the family and friends that surround you. Thanks to all of you for being a part of my life!

Love, Mom

Multitasking at Ma's

Kevin brought over and set up the arbor this AM (with a little help from his friends--double click for details.) It is beautiful and in a perfect spot. The pic does not do it justice. I plan to fill the bottom w/wood nuggets, cover it w/netting, fill it up w/soil and begin the plant transfers. Can hardly wait to get started.

Painting has again been delayed due to the weather. The painters are very conscientious about applying the paint on a dried surface---Good for them! Wood was delivered yesterday evening---have decided not to tarp it---Thought about probably getting a standing water shower each time I moved it to fill the portable patio wood rack---really would provide a cussing situation. Anyone want a free 20' by 16' (?) nice tarp w/toggle attachments? First caller gets it.

Went to Mass this am, had breakfast w/a friend, mowed, watched Kevin set up the arbor, and am now off to Sutherlands w/shopping list. Have to get all of this done between the football games. I ask each of you to stay healthy, be safe, keep in touch, value every moment of the time you're given and treasure the family and friends that surround you.

Love, Mom

Jane says see the deer

Told ya Fall was coming---leaves are dropping and more deer appearing. Dropped a bag of carrots over the back fence and have had the deer venture closer to the house. You will have to double click the pic--the deer is in the distance in the clearing. Think I could have captured a closer shot (with camera of course) if the "boys" had not have made such a barking racket. Also, had a swallow tail butterfly on the flowers. Chased it around the yard to get a good pic---another certifiable event for my neighbors to log.

Back from Mass, plan a quiet day with my pup posse, reading, and listening to my Ipod--possibly throw a nap in there somewhere. Not a good football watching/listening day. For those of you who care--KU spanked CO and K-State won but only by 3 points. Hard to listen (K-State) and watch KU at the same time.

Enjoy this long week end--staying healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love,

Mom

Flowers

Different stages of the Cosmos--from bud to bloom to spent to droop. Kind of like a poor attempt at a still shot on the growing scenes of a Sunday night Disney nature special. These are certainly Kansas plants---they are hardy enough to endure the wind and even sway in rhythm to the wind---really wispy beautiful in a strange sort of way.

This Kale is another volunteer plant this year. I bed down the plants w/pulverized leaves each fall/winter, compliments of Keith and have really been surprised of the plants that return. The Coleus plants broke off from the original potted plant--were placed in water to root and re-planted in the garden area. The ajuga at the top is yet another variety of the one featured yesterday.

Busy week in store. Have all of you in my thoughts as we move forward and ask all to stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Flower Days

Using some older pics (June) today. Thought I would show you some Galardias (AKA Blanket flower) and Cone flowers. These are so drought tolerant but tend to grow lanky and have to be staked up to contain the plant. The cone flower is appropriately named lemons and oranges.

Rainy day in store for today. Plan to go to Mass, volunteer some time at the rectory, make some calls to schedule fireplace cleaning, order some fill dirt, and run errands. Bet none of you out there can top this for excitement.

Please stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Snapdragons and watch dogs

Noted some of the annual flowers are beginning to fade, foilage drying up a bit, and most likely getting ready to call it another year. On the other hand some of the annuals wait to shine----thus the snapdragon. Have started pulling up some of the spent plants and will soon begin the winter leaf mulch. Don't fret--I now have over 1300+ flower pics and will be sending them in the blog throughout the winter.

The watch dogs----guessing they are looking for rabbits or keeping an eye on Spencer. Love these little "guys" and am never a moment without them. It is real difficult to catch them standing still and all together thus the pic sans Spencer.

Hope your weekend is great and restful. I am going to Mass, meeting some gals for breakfast, hauling more rocks, reading, and doing anything I want to do---because I can. Do the healthy, safe, in touch thing and remember--I love you, Mom.

Another Morning Glory Day

The side fence is just glowing w/Morning Glories (all volunteers). Have them growing on cattle pen wiring. They are such strange plants--such survival in them. They wither in the heat and you suspect they will not make it through the day only to perk up in the evening and especially the next morning. A true work of nature--they are "pulling" in their leaves to preserve moisture so the blossoms can strut their stuff. Now is that neat?!

Think I may have sent this same Crepe Myrtle when it was only at bud stage---Ta--Dah---now presenting it in full bloom. Surprised the limbs can hold all the full blooms. The bees love these plants.

As for me---I too am also in "full bloom"--- dressed, ready to go to Mass, volunteer a couple hours at the rectory, then home to do yard work. Got a lot done outside yesterday, moved rocks, trimmed some shrubs, prepped a flower bed for shade garden, took a nice nap, read some, yada, yada, yada. Someday I will throw something exciting in the mix and shock the socks off myself.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Another Lantana Day

Gave you the scoop on Lantanas in the past--will not bore you w/more Ma stories. They are really flourishing in the heat---both foliage and blooms. Always buy these from a KS grower. Have them in several colors. Always loved crayons--this is about the closest I can get---lots of colors to see--even in each plant.

Got a lot done yesterday and planning on moving rocks this AM. Another 90+ degree day in store so will begin when I return from Mass. The "boys" will help by coaching me on (actually barking incessantly) throughout the process and I will move rocks until physically tired or worn out from all the barking.

Stay healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.
Love, Ma

More flowers

More Crepe Myrtle and Snapdragon pics. Will not go on and on about the beauty of the flowers.


It is already in the 90's. Went to Mass this AM, worked at the rectory for awhile, came home, mowed, and went to the lumber yard with one of the carpenters to return some unused siding planks. Plan to begin moving rocks when it gets a bit cooler.

Am pleased with the siding and will have the house painted sometime in Sept. Plan to use the same paint colors unless Kat twists my arm when she visits the end of this month. Who knows--it could all change--she has some great ideas---will not buy paint and will pick her brain while she is here. She has no clue it will be a working trip.

As always, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Busy Day(s)

Off to Mass then help with school enrollment until about 6:oopm. Will take a couple of breaks to come home to check on the "boys" then back to the school. Tomorrow will help with folding letters and stuffing envelopes (1000+) to send out for parish re-registration. Cleaning at the rectory on Friday AM and then off in the afternoon to a local 3 day conference.

The siding is coming along nicely--will send some pics in near future. The construction guys have some other jobs on tap and will return late Sept/early Oct to paint the house. That will be fine with me. The "boys" feel too confined and are getting stir crazy. Lots of barking at all the different noises.

The Master Gardeners are having a photo contest. I may consider entering---but will have to review (1200+) of my flower pics to see if I have any worthy to send. They will accept only one pic per person. Decisions, decisions...

The morning glories are all volunteer this year--this one picked the back fence and looks like it grew from the fence instead of a plant. The bees are really working on the plants---you can see pollen scattered on the petals. (That should provide excitement in your lives ---to see scattered pollen on petals---it does in mine--I am glad to see so many bees return).

Okay enough. Please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love, Mom

Flowers and stuff

Had a nice quiet weekend, took some AM /PM flower pics, read, caught up on some DVR TV, even took an afternoon nap w/the "boys."

AM pic of a Gerbera Daisy. The daisy's keep blooming. Have to catch them before the rabbits chew the stems into. Can tell you there may be some upcoming pics of rabbits in repose if this continues. Will give warning ahead of time so you can use your discretion before viewing--at least they are not deer. Rabbit carcases are easy to toss---do not know if I would be up to lugging a deer to the field.

PM pic of same Gerbera Daisy. Still standing. Love taking the pics at different times of the day. Just love having the daisy still being there at end of day---thanks to a reduced population of rabbits----Hmmmm, must be a copper plague that is striking them down.

The medication is helping Rowdy. He did not have one episode of panhandling--I mean pain--all day yesterday. Have to make myself a check off list to make sure he gets the right meds and at the right times. Gee---back to nursing!

Busy day/busy week. Helping w/school enrollment for 3 days, doing some volunteering at the rectory, then will be at a conference Fri thru Sun.

Please stay healthy, be safe, have a great week, and stay in touch.

Love,

Mom