Summer Musings...

Well, I don't know about you all, but it is sure hot and sticky in my neck of the woods! It has pretty much been the same, rain and more rain!
I haven't been able to do much outside because of it. I did manage to sneak some weeding in, before it rained again.
My vegetables appear to be doing well. I am trying to keep the tomatoes "sucker free". I added some egg shells today.
I have a severe Aphid infestation in one of my gardens, I need to treat the area, but it needs to stop raining.
Trying to enjoy the weather, but I can't take the humidity.
I have still been working in here to clear things out more. Less is more, I need to keep telling myself that.
It is hard to let go of things that you have had for years. I don't know why, some things are harder, it is like saying good bye to an old friend.
I have been testing out some recipes, in fact, in a little while, I plan on making some home made blueberry muffins. I am still on my lifestyle change, but I like to make things for my family to enjoy. I do eat a little something from time to time.
I made bread by hand for the first time. It turned out alright for a first attempt.  It was Honey-oat bread.
A little flaky, but not bad.
I found a recipe for bagels that I want to test next. I have my list for things I need to get for this.It makes a dozen at a time. This would help save money and also my quest for healthier and knowing where things come from. I am getting to be more and more of a stickler here.
Also, I am planning for more time off. I did have a nice little break last week, but it flew right by. I didn't get half of what I wanted to done. The weather was not cooperative.
I took Brandon to see the new Monsters Inc movie, that was REALLY cute, but I was horrified to see how much concessions are these days and they also raised the ticket prices, even for the matinee.
Brandons treatments we are doing for his Scoliosis, are helping so thankfully, we are now down to one visit a week! I am so happy about this. It will help a lot!
Trying to figure out what to do for birthdays this year. I have one that will be 20 and one that will be 16.
I am hoping that we can keep it more simple, it seems like there is never enough time and money to do it all.
We had to have a plumber out recently to fix our sink, this happened 4 years ago, and then again, about two weeks ago. The plumber we found, thankfully, was less than the one we used prior. I was SO glad to have my sink fixed! I had to wash dishes in the bathtub. Not fun!
Well, I hope that you all have a great week.

Take time to smell the Lilacs

Well, here I am. It is Thursday, my son had his last day of school and no time for resting in my life it seems. There is always SO much to do, and not as much time to do it!
This weekend, FINALLY, we are getting the veggie garden tilled and hauling in some fresh compost so I can get my veggies planted. It has been wet and cooler here. I hope it warms up some more. I haven't been able to use my clothesline even once yet.
Thought I would share a few pictures, things are slow here this year, but I have Morning Doves nesting with me this year! You can see the daddy on the roof and mommy sitting on the nest! They are so fun, I also have a pair of finches.
My oldest son got his diploma and is onto his next phase with getting a permanent job where he currently works! We are proud of him and his progress!
Going through a lot with Brandon right now, trying to get some more evaluations set up for him and that has been a chore!
Also getting ready for a garage sale, I am not looking forward to it, but it is necessary! I am trying to simplify more, but it is hard for me to do. I get totally stressed out!
My job is going the same, it is better in some respects, but others, it is more stress for me, but I have found that exercising really helps me a lot. I have lost 20 pounds so far. I am feeling better.
I am hoping to get lots of tomatoes to make sauces with this year. I got 8 San Marzano tomato plants, I have heard that these are the best to use!
I have one tomato plant for cherry tomatoes, and one for eating. I am planting green beans, two types, one for canning and one for eating now. I am planting squash and zucchini.  I might be forgetting something~ yep, the herbs!
I did get some broccoli too.
I really want to get some blueberry shrubs, and I have a tip on where to get some. I have a currant bush and also I did spy my raspberry bush! I hope that it comes back well!
I would like to do strawberries too, I have a pot for them, but I am not sure if that is enough.
I use them a lot for my smoothies and just for eating.
I am STILL looking for a bread machine, the one I think I would like to have is of course, very expensive, so we will see.
I am tired of paying 8.00 for two loaves of bread, it is ridiculous!
We quit drinking milk, we now drink Silk almond milk, it is much healthier for you, GMO free, which I really like.
The hardest thing for me with my diet at the moment is the fact that I can't have my creamer, I just don't enjoy my coffee as much.
I don't have that much exciting happening at the moment. I still haven't started on the bathroom yet, the weather has to cooperate more first.
I do want to get that done before the fall though.
I hope that you all are enjoying your week so far. I haven't been on blogland much, it is just hard to balance it all.
I think I pretty much would have to schedule time for it. I am one for needing a schedule. I think it helps keep me on task better.
I am not good at managing my time at home.
Do you all have any tips? I am striving to be organized and less stressed.
God bless you all!

Spring Fling

Good morning everyone. I hope that you all are doing well. It is a beautiful day so far here this Mothers Day weekend.
My mom called to tell me that my card would be late, since she realized that she forgot to put stamps on the cards. I told her not to worry, it is alright. I sent her card a month early, so that makes us even. I have to do things as I can.
I have not been very faithful with blogging, I am sorry for that, but I guess I have too many irons in the fire so to speak.
I just can't keep up with everything, and I don't have any other excuses.
It has been a slow Spring here, we had snow and then more snow. Finally, I think we are past all of that. I have been cleaning up the gardens a bit, I am planning to work on some more today.
My peonies are starting to pop up, I am excited to see my new one " Charlies' White Peony". I planted it in honor of my deceased cousin, his name was Charlie.
My very good friend gave me the start of a Fern Leaf Peony, I am hoping it will do alright. I planted it yesterday. I have always wanted one.
I am hoping to have pictures to share in the future. Not much is in bloom at the moment.
My son went to his "Spring Fling" a few weeks ago, he looked so nice in his suit. He has grown so much, and we are just going through so many challenges with him this past year and a half. It has been one of the hardest experiences in my parenting career. We are working with some goals for him and hoping that some more help comes into place soon. We are looking into getting him on MA, and we would have to pay a "fee" for this, based on income, but there are services available there, that aren't with private insurance. Isn't that nuts? We are still on-going with the Holistic component, but it is very expensive, and not covered by our insurance. God will provide, that is what I know. I am trusting him for all things. I am not doubting that he is with me, I know he is, and he never promised us a problem free life.
Our oldest son, however, has been doing SO well, I can't believe how much he is growing up! The only thing we are working on, is getting him to take his dirty laundry to the laundry room!
I found a pair of socks in his room, and they were PRETTY bad! I asked him how long he wore them and to tell me the truth. He doesn't look at me, but holds his 4 fingers up in the air. I said "FOUR DAYS!!!" He said " Mom, I was trying to save you money by not washing clothes". LOL! I said, It is alright to change your clothes! Please DO SO!!!
Anyhow, he is graduating from his program on the 29th of this month, and he has a very good opportunity to have a permanent job where he is currently working. We are happy for him and it is one that would provide him a decent living income.
I started doing Pilates and walking and it is really helpful. I also started my HCG diet, so I am in the beginning stages of that. Pretty much,  I can have 500 calories a day, and it is supposed to help re set my metabolism. I need something here, even though I have made lots of changes, it still hasn't helped me to lose much weight. You can't have any dairy products, no breads, basically, it is pretty much mostly fruits and vegetables, and some meat, not much. The hardest hurdle for me was coffee creamer and gum. I can  drink it black now, so that is good.
I have been working on my house, slowly plugging away. I cleaned my laundry room up, my husband was happy about that, and I have managed to get rid of 6 big bags of stuff.
Have much more to do, but if I do a little each day, maybe I will get there.
Watching "Hoarders" helps me a lot. I would say, I just have a hard time letting go of some things, but I know that things aren't the be all, end all. That is what helps me. But it is still a stressful process.
Hoping to get out and get some planting done soon.
I have managed to get a few things decorated here, but not much. I am trying to come up with some ideas for the fence in front of the house. I might try and play with that some.
I also have a fountain I would like to bring in the house. The problem is, our cat is OBSESSED with running water! We have a fountain for him now, but he still has that urge to get into it! This is a zinc bucket, so I am not sure how that would work, and I am not sure where I would put it yet.
Well, I am going to close for now, I have to get some laundry going and get some things happening here.
Have a great day! God bless.

Happy Easter!

Good morning everyone! I was awakened by very LOUD thunder this morning, it shook my whole house! We still have plenty of snow on the ground, but I am hoping this will melt more of it, and also not flood. I am ready for Spring to arrive. So glad it is the weekend, and I plan on doing my shopping here shortly.
I just wanted to touch base and let you know what I have been up to. I do feel like a turtle sometimes, but it is hard for me, the older I am getting to keep up with everything.
I am trying to limit my computer time to help me out too, it is not easy, but I know I CAN do it!
I completed my two craft challenges, if you recall from my past post, I had to only do one, but I chose to do two. I am happy with the result. I still need to get some chalk for the one, but I made the Checkerboard into a message center. I really like the heart design on the top of it, so I kept that, and then used the chalkboard spray paint! Like that stuff! I made a wire holder for the chalk, but I didn't have any chalk, so I have to get some.
I also made over the white rabbit, I got inspired at work one night and recalled the  "Little bunny foo foo" song. I stitched it on some muslin and then nailed it on with little tack nails. I like it for Spring.
I finished one of my dolls, I like the raggedy dolls, but I really seem to like the black dolls. This is "Sadie and her funny bunny". I used a vintage bunny I had stashed. It can be removed too.
I was fortunate to finally get some of those old time scissors, and I placed one of them in my hand and heart make-do I got from Amy over at Bumblebee Lane. I really like it there it adds more detail to it. I decided to hang the rest on my corn cob dryer.
I think I might join another ornament exchange with my one group of friends, it will be an Americana theme this time. I already have a plan.
We are still doing gluten free, and slowly making changes in our house.  We all feel better, it is a lot of reading labels and just not buying junk.
My hormones are giving me problems though, and I am going to embark on a diet of sorts recommended by my homeopathic Doctor. I will be starting that sometime this next month.
I will have to give up creamer in my coffee, if I want to continue to drink coffee. It will be different. I have given up a lot already, but also I have to give up gum.That will be a tough one. I have got to do something though, I have to. Even with all the changes, I have only lost 10 pounds so far, and that is not enough for me!
Brandon is making improvements, we still need to find him a mattress, it has been hard to shop together. My husband has been working more hours which is good, but then we never see much of him. Don't get me wrong, I can make decisions, but it is nice when he is there.
So maybe we can go look later today.
I am still working on my family wall of photos. I need more frames, but I am waiting. I have 15 pictures hung so far. Much more to go!
I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter. Enjoy the egg hunts and all, but remember what it really is about... the man that loved us enough to die on a cross.
The news is so depressing anymore, I cannot hardly bear to have it on, and I can't stand our President, I don't even want to listen to him talk! He is a LIAR, and I detest everything he stands for. I would like for him to go away! I have to trust that God is in control, and he is, this makes me so sad though to see the direction this country is heading for. I know this all has to take place, but it is not easy to watch.
I am sad for my friends going through trials, everyone has something happening. Just leaving it with the Lord, that is all I know to do.
I did get some news on my nephew~ he had a mass on his brain, they said it was benign, and it was able to be drained, so they will be draining that, and he will be fine, which is GREAT news! Praise God! It has been causing him to have small seizures. Some type of cyst.
I am thinking that I would like to paint my kitchen this year, I have requested some time off in May, but I think I can get a few other things done before then.
The bathroom is getting done, because I have to get that one done! LOL! It is hard to share a bathroom with two teen age boys! Everyone is trying to get ready at the same time, not working!!! LOL!
Getting my butt in gear there at least.
I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

A few things I have done.

Hello everyone. I hope that you all are doing well, and that you enjoyed your weekend. Mine was busy, it was my weekend to work, so I didn't get much fun time. It was a little bit warmer, so it was nice.
I am involved in a prim group of friends, anyhow, there was an ornament exchange started for Spring, they typically do a few of these, but the others are more challenging for me, because of work. Anyhow, I made ten of these little "Spring Angels". No two are totally alike, since I don't use patterns. I think they turned out really well. I am excited to see what I will get, so I will have ten ornaments for my tree.
Now we have another fun challenge in the same group. Take a dated thrift store item and redo it. So, I have my two choices, the heart checkerboard and the rabbit. I have something special in mind for the checkerboard. Not sure about the bunny quite yet. I will wait and see what hits me. I have until the 25th of March.
I have done some rearranging, however, it is slow going.
I did manage to get some picture frames painted black. I have more to do tomorrow. I want to make more progress on my family wall of photos.
And, I finally got myself some really nice work shoes with a nice orthotic in them! My feet aren't used to the "normal" now, so it is taking some time, but I like this better than what I was dealing with. Now, I just have to save for my everyday shoes. I felt slightly guilty for spending money like that on myself. I know that is silly, but I do think like that. I do know that it was necessary for my well being. I am used to being last on the list.
I am also looking forward to getting my new Vitamixer! God is so good! My mom, an (avid QVC fan) called me to tell me that the one I wanted was a "Today Special Value" and also on 5 easy pays! That was SUCH a blessing. I can't wait to get it. It will really benefit our family.
I  have more seeds I want to get planted too.
I did share a picture of one area I have redone~ I did dye some fabric, but I think I burned it some, I have to check it again.  I want some plain fabric to hang from this shelf.
I also had a brainstorm on something I can make for one of the walls perhaps. I just have to be able to get to the items, they are in my garage. More display room is what I need.
I am sort of rambling on, that is because I am tired I know. If only we didn't have to sleep.
I was also called by my dad this past week because my nephew whom is nine, was having these mini seizures. Well, they took him in and found this huge mass, size of a baseball in his brain. No one knows what it is exactly, so they had to travel to another hospital that is over an hour and twenty minutes away.
Well, apparently when they started the MRI, he started to flip out. They stopped and then told them they have to come back another time. WHAT? They should have sedated him ahead of time~ I said I wouldn't have left there until they calmed him down and then sedated him and gotten this done! Not when something like that is happening, you don't say Come back again... No, way!
So now, of course, I have no idea when he will be seen. So, I have been praying for him, as well as many others.
I don't get to see him often, but I do speak with him on the phone from time to time. He is a very sweet boy.
Then there is my son~ I will get into that one later on~ but I am tired.  It's a good thing we are trying to make life changes!
I really need the energy level!
Well, I will close for now, but just wanted to try and get a post in.
I bought a Gluten free cookbook also, I am excited to try some recipes.
God bless you all.
Thanks for stopping by.

Frankly speaking... (It's a pun)

Hi there all you fellow bloggers. It is Friday, I have much to do today, but thought I would share some things I purchased for future use.
I am already planning my vegetable garden this year. If you have places that you buy your seeds from and are interested in knowing~ Livingston Seeds are GMO- free. It just so happens, my work has them.
I have other seeds coming from another place~ Select seeds. This year, I plan on growing more tomatoes for making sauces and the like.
The varieties I am trying this season include: Ace 55, Amana Orange, Green German, and San Mazanto. These are Heirloom varieties.
I will also grow two types of beans~ one for canning, the other for eating.
Bush Blue Lake~ good for canning and very productive.
Round Zucchini~ haven't tried this one before, but like to try new things.
Yellow Scallop Bush squash
Bush Buttercup Squash
Kale~ dwarf Blue Scotch curled
Spinach~ Bloomsdale long-standing
Early Frosty pea.
Plus, I hope I am not too ambitious here, but I have never grown potatoes and would like to try that too.
I want to plant my herbs in a big pot this year. Basil, Thyme, and maybe something more.
The only annuals I bought to plant were the Zinnias, the Morning Glory, and the Mammoth Sunflowers, which were a huge hit with the birdies!
I tried cucumbers last year, and you know, I just don't seem to have the best luck with them.
My husband wants me to grow Rhubarb, which I don't have much experience with.
I still wouldn't mind getting some fruit bushes~ blueberries possibly. I think raspberries would be too much~ I know they spread out. I would also consider strawberries,  if I can keep them in a container.
I would like to expand my garden area and make it bigger, I will have to see how he feels  about this. I need more room though.
What are you excited about trying this year? For those of you that garden?
I am getting that itch to get out and play in the dirt!
I bought a bag of Peanut M&M's~ if I have a few here and there, I am good. Can't go with out chocolate!
And~ I was HAPPY to find this little treasure~ three Frank Sinatra films that I haven't seen, and look at the price! Not too bad! I like Blue eyes, his voice is the bomb in my opinion!
I have been working on my Spring ornies, I have gotten all the faces stitched now, the other parts, I will work on as I can. I am hoping to have them done by the end of the next week.
I am finding that I am a list person~ if I have a few things I can complete each day, then I am good.
I have a few more bags of stuff to drop off at the Good will store today.
Slowly whittling away at things.
I took the boys to Pizza Hut last night~ I had a veggie pizza~and I was good. They love Pizza Hut, but my goodness are they ever getting expensive!
We enjoyed spending time with one another, which is rare that we all eat at one table together. It is hard with our schedules.
Well I better get going. I have things to get done today.
Have a great weekend. I am working this weekend. I hear we are supposed to get quite a bit of snow on Sunday, so I will make sure and wear my boots to work.
God bless you all.

Changes...

Good morning to all of you. I know I have been away for quite some time now. I have been busy at work, and I have also been on facebook a lot more than here.
Sometimes, it is faster to connect there.
I hope that you all have been doing alright, I have managed to read some blogs, but I am way behind.
The more things change, the more they stay the same... Have you heard that saying? Well, I am TRYING to change some of my habits, I don't know why I have all of the habits that I have, I guess you just get stuck in a rut. Well, I am ready to get out of mine, so we are making changes in our house~ very slowly.
I have been having some health issues~ mostly due to hormones and I am working on getting better. I have started on a life change, the foods we eat and the things we are exposed to, cause us more problems than we are even aware of.
On a quest to help our son, we have decided to change our eating habits, although it will take time and we are not able to get all the components we need for this yet, we are working on things weekly.
On my wish list currently, A Vitamixer, and a pasta attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer. I also had~ notice the past tense~ a bread machine that I FINALLY was brave enough to try, only to have it fall on the floor and bust! I was SO upset. My mother has kindly agreed to give me hers. She has barely used it, so she is sending it my way.
We have been working with a Homeopathic Doctor, and are slowly learning a lot!
I have plans to expand on my home garden this year, and have already placed one seed order. I have one more which I would like to do. Trying to stay away from GMO based seeds. It is a lot of reading and research, but worth it in my opinion.
Trying to buy more organic and less processed. It is important to know where your food is coming from.
I am still working on my house, which is such a slow process for me. I don't know why it is harder to let some things go, but it is hard. I have been slowly weeding things out. It seems to be hard  for me to keep my focus, which is another reason I am working with the Homeopathic Doctor.
I have started sowing seeds already though~ for perennials. I have done coneflowers so far. I will do some Black eyed Susans, and I would like to do some Columbines and maybe a few others.
My oldest son took his first college class. He was able to pass it, but for now, he has put any of that on hold. He has a hard time focusing on more than one thing. Sound familiar? Well, I am not that bad, but anymore, I cannot handle a lot of things altogether. Not like before.
He is working now though, and I am very tickled for him. He is working at a recycling facility, and they have already bumped his hours up, so he is getting 40 hours a week! They like his work ethic, I am glad at least some of us has rubbed off!
Brandon is having a tough time, but we are working on things. I pray a lot! It is/has been a constant battle, but I am ever hopeful that there is an answer.
I have been crafting some again, I have two dolls that I am working on now, giving a sneak peek of them. I am also in a Spring ornie exchange with some of my prim pals that I have been friends with for many years now.
I am so very disappointed with how the past election went, I just cannot describe how heavy my heart has been. I have asked the Lord to help me not to dwell on things that are not in my control~ nothing really is anyhow, but that I don't have to be afraid. Trusting him is what is important and that is what I plan on doing.
I have been still into my Devotion as well as getting into my Bible more. Trying to be better about that!
Anyhow, I cannot promise weekly posts, but I will try and be better. Another thing I need to do is spend less time on the facebook, which is also addicting.
One thing at a time. One moment at a time.
I hope that you all are doing alright. Some of you I keep up with on facebook.
I see they have made changes to blogger.
Have a great week! God bless.