Seven Years of Some Kind of Luck

So, after 22 years of using an inherited mirror, it slipped off the bathroom counter and broke! It was a gift to my aunt from her mother when she was a child. My aunt Lucy passed away in 1986 at the age of 86. I used it every day, just as she did. It has a wood frame and up until this date, it was very sturdy as things from the past were normally made, but glass is glass, and it breaks.

I have had a lot of major expenses these past weeks! Bad luck I guess--over $1k in car repairs, then my computer froze and I got a new laptop, lots of house repairs--on and on--and all this happened BEFORE the mirror broke! If I were superstitious, I would think I should go into hiding! And just when things started to become overwhelming for me, I started a new project! I wonder if it's a form of self punishment or a way to relieve anxiety!

I'm dumping my unused hobby room (I had delusions of grandeur, planning to spend hours in there crafting and "arting", but it was never to be.) So, I'm making the room into a proper guest room...once again! We tore out the original white carpet, now 20 years old but still white, and replaced it with wood floors to match the rest of the house.

Me and my shadow--with me every step I take!!

We are having so much fun with little Lolly Bee! She weights 1lb 3oz! She can fetch and is potty trained! Only barks when she wants to play. Loves everyone--not shy--and she is so darn cute!

Turr tull came out of hibernation for the first time this year . I fed him a few hibiscus blossoms and introduced him to Lolly. He hissed at her and she just looked at him and went off to play. I am losing a few pounds going outside with Lolly--best thing ever--I have to get off my computer quite a few times a day. We are enjoying our beautiful spring!

Results Are In!!

GREAT~ Ultrasound clearly displayed that it's a GIRL!

~ My Granddaughter's Precious Moments collection~

For over 20 years I have displayed her Precious Moments collection in my Grandmother's cabinet. I started, and then added to, the various collections for each of the Grandchildren. It was agreed that I would watch over them until I deemed it was time that they could take proper care of them. Well, this collection's time has come! They are soon going to grace little Great-Granddaughter's nursery. She will be born in early August and Ryder will have a baby sister.

All this happiness has caused me to go off my diet! A box of chocolate to celebrate! I am now off the pre-wedding diet that I started yesterday in preparation for my Grandson's April wedding. He'll just have to put up with a fat grandmother in the family wedding photos!

Blooms

It's springtime in the desert! See what's blooming in my garden

LARKSPUR

BLUE ELF ALOE

DESERT SENNA

BAJA FAIRY DUSTER

BRITTLE BUSH

PETUNIA

SOLAR MULTI PLASTIC

ALYSSUM

SNAPDRAGON

DAFFODIL

DESERT BLUEBELL

PANSY

NASTURTIUM

SWEET PEA

NASTURTIUM

IVY GERANIUM

TIDY TIPS

SCARLET FLAX

DAISY

WINTER JASMINE

LOLLY BEE VERSUS GARDEN ANT--SHE LOOKS LIKE THE WINNER! LOLLY weights 1.35 lbs. She loves the garden and swing as much as I do! We are in LOVE with our little girl!

RYDER ENJOYING THE INDOOR POOL

Granddaughter and Ryder (18 months now) will be here the end of March for the wedding of my oldest Grandson! Ryder will be fitted for his tux and Granddaughter will hopefully fit into her bridesmaid dress. I haven't even shopped for a dress as I hope to lose 40 lbs before the wedding. The wedding has been scheduled for quite a long time. But, true to form, I put off dieting until the last 4 weeks! Think I can do it? I only have to lose 10 pounds a week to reach my goal. Of course, I can't even lose two pounds in six months, but this time will be different. Yeah, that's the ticket. Positive thinking. Or is that called magical thinking?

My favorite flower bloomed a few days before Valentine Day. I asked Hubby not to buy me flowers as nothing could top the first blooms of my sweet peas! SO instead.......He bought me a little chihuahua! He fell in love with the picture of her posted on the local store bulletin board.



She is 7 weeks old and fits into the palm of my hand. The seller cried when he paid and picked her up. Told him she would give his money back for up to a month if we didn't like her (Sounds like my daughter!) As soon as he brought her home we headed to Pet Mart to purchase food and necessary puppy paraphernalia. I'm not sure how anyone can afford a pet!!! Puppy pads--$7.99 for 10! Dry dog food--$16.99 for 6 lbs! I wanted a tiny dog carrier--$49 and up! She is so small she need a ferret collar and carrier! I think I need to visit Wal-Mart and compare prices. Her little bed was $15.99!! What about Vet bills? But wait... none of that matters as we are totally in LOVE with her and I'll just have to get over it! Little Lolly has already earned her keep--little hearts are floating out of her eyes when she looks up at me....ahhhhh!

Whirlwind....

This past month has been a whirlwind of activities! I'm exhaling--finally!!! Christmas brought all my family together for what seems for just a brief moment. Army Grandson, along with NC Granddaughter and great grandson, were all here in Arizona to say our goodbye before his deployment.

My two daughters, granddaughter and I flew to Kentucky to see my grandson off to Afghanistan, and then drive his truck and belongings to NC for storage. Seems the Army charges the soldiers storage fees for their belongings, so we didn't see much sense in wasting money like that. After helping him pack at least 90 days of supplies in 4 small bags--we went to the base to see him off. It was very dramatic seeing mothers and fathers leaving their small children, families letting go....

Watching through old eyes,this poignant occasion gave me quite a jolt, as these young soldiers looked to be about 15 years old! Our well trained, courageous soldiers deserve, at the least, daily prayers from all Americans who believe in a higher power!



Goodbyes were hard and I will keep this moment in my heart forever.





Just that quick we were off into the cold, driving straight through to NC on icy roads.




I think this is somewhere in Tennessee--no way to know as there's not much difference in scenery, just snow, ice, cold!





We made it to NC in 8 hours--my daughter driving the whole way without a hitch!
NC wasn't as cold but with as much snow on the ground. I'm so blessed to live in this hot, dry desert wearing only shorts and sandals! I hate-, just hate, being constricted under piles of clothing, with scarves wrapped around my neck choking me, and gloves--I couldn't even dial a phone! But then, a welcome distraction!

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Ryder!!!!!!!!!!! He welcomed us with a big smile! After a few days visit, grounded planes and layovers, we made it home!

Welcome back to the "simple" distractions of everyday life. All these big events in my twilight years have taught me that I can handle much more than I ever thought I could! I think I need a little dog to keep me distracted from life's worries. Bet my sister will say "You are just trading worries--better think about the implications and hourly responsibilities of having a pet. Pay attention, don't be impulsive." I'm going to the pound tomorrow....!

Minor Miracles

A friend wrote and said she was tired of seeing "that darn turkey" on my last blog entry, so I decided I needed to update. I have a lot of excuses as to why I haven't blogged, so here goes. I can't sleep, so I can't focus during the day! However, I guess if I could sleep I wouldn't be able to enjoy the beautiful sunrises. This was photo was taken yesterday morning--then today, there was zero visibility--an unusual fog enveloped the Valley! It was so dense I couldn't even see my backyard.



My granddaughter has been visiting the past two weeks and I try to spend my days enjoying their company, because they will soon return home. Ryder is 15 months old now and at that stage of destroying everything in his path!

I am running after him every second. Might lose a few pounds in the process!

Out the door and onto the swing.....

back inside....

climbing on furniture.....up and down the stairs....

Then... just as quick--he becomes a little angel!!!

My Army grandson will be here today--if the Midwest ice storms allow the planes to fly. He will be home for 14 days then off to Afghanistan. We are trying to be positive and not wonder, WHY?

Hubby's truck was broken into--radio and tool box stolen--steering column has to be replaced along with the door locks. We were lucky in that it was not stolen! No theft insurance--the truck is just too old to justify the premiums. It is a 1994 Chevy, very popular in this region as it is a great landscaper truck! It was stolen and stripped four years ago and that cost us $3,000 to get it up and running then. This time it only cost $400.00. Again, lucky us.

Once again I lost my billfold! On my way to a friend's who had broken her ankle I stopped to get gas. It was still dark at 6 am, and I must have left my wallet on top of the car while pumping. I know, I should focus, but I'm not wired that way, dammit! But wait--there's more--A Christmas miracle! A Good Samaritan found it about 4 miles down the road, looked at the driver's license, got my address, left a note that everything was intact and they would bring it to me! It had been ran over and only two cards destroyed!! From planning my suicide to save my family from the grief of placing me in a home,or worse, my sister scolding me for another screw up. HALLELUJAH!! Saved, once again!

And then, another miracle--granddaughter is pregnant! Couldn't get any better than this, unless it would be twins or triplets! My father was a triplet and he also had twin sisters. Some one, some day should get lucky in this family that way--might as well be her! (She may disagree with that!)

All in all, we have been blessed many times this year. Hopefully the USA will be blessed again. (2 Chronicles 7:14)