Friday, May 30, 2008

Friday's FIVE!

My brother, Roger celebrates his birthday next week - on June 3rd. He lives in San Antonio with is wife and two youngest children, Delaney- (3) and Waylon (5 mo.). His oldest children, Jack (almost 20) and Allie (18) live in Indiana. While my brother cannot carry a tune in a bucket - he has never (successfully) played a musical instrument - and he certainly isn't known for his amazing rhythm... however, when it comes to music - pop - rock - current or early ... he knows it. If I ever have a music trivia question - I know I can call on him to come up with the answer.
I love this about my brother - he appreciates music as much as any musician with a major in the fine art. So - this week, in honor of my brother - as he celebrates his birthday...
my Friday FIVE! is a collection of songs or artists that make me think of him everytime I hear them played. There are so many songs and artists that he loves... and yet, for some reason... the following are the first few that come to mind....

1. Van Morrison - Real, Real Gone .... I'm really not sure why I think of him when I hear Van Morrison, I know he likes him... but I don't know how or why I remember that...
I just know that when I hear Van Morrison sing - I think of my brother. I do remember when we could first record on Casssette tapes - he recorded several of his albums for me... and a lot of them were Van Morrison albums. After all, I am brown eyed girl! http://www.vanmorrison.co.uk/

2. Mama's and the Papa's - My first "real" album... it was one of his... and I don't know if he had two of them or if he really didn't like it - but he gave me a Mama's and Papa's album from his collection of albums. I was probably 9 or 10 years old and he is 5 years older than me..... I thought it was just the coolest thing ever that my 'teenage' brother would give me one of his albums. I love the harmony of the group - and Mama Cass's beautiful alto voice.
Creeque Alley is still one of my all time favorite songs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mamas_and_the_Papas

3. Del Amitri - Roll to Me
A 1995 song that is one of my favorites... and during our 'divorce' days, I learned that it was also one of his. Roger and I were never real 'close' in the way that some siblings can be - I always loved him and looked up to him, after all, he was my big brother - but to share a close emotional sibling relationship eluded us because of the distance between us. I don't mean to imply there was animosity or competition or uneasiness between us - because there wasn't that either... we just weren't, glued at the hip - tell each other all of our secrets siblings. However, during our divorces in 2001 - we had each other.... and we became closer than we had ever been. Although it was a very difficult time, I cherish that time that I had with him. When the world was crumbling... we had each other. I will never forget that. It was during that time... that I learned he also loved Del Amitri - Roll to Me! It was a time when I learned I had more in common with my brother than I ever knew. http://www.delamitri.com/

4. Country Joe and the Fish
He was a teenager - he had friends in Viet Nam. I was afraid he would have to go. He had peace signs in his room, he had long hair and a bunch of non-conformist friends that made us laugh everyday. Roger would have his albums playing on his complex stereo system that he built himself... and while the Woodstock album was played often enough for me to remember the words...I can still hear my mother's voice calling to him down the hall...
"Roger - turn that OFF" as Country Joe bellowed..."GIMME AN 'F'".... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_Joe_and_the_Fish


5. Neil Young
I think Roger wanted to be Neil Young when he grew up - I remember hearing Neil Young, Crosby Stills and Nash and Crosby Stills Nash and Young the most - "After the Goldrush" with Tell Me Why and Southern Man. De'ja Vu with Helpless and Everybody I Love You!.
That is good stuff!!!! He loved it - I bet he still loves it... and I love it still... I love the sound of Neil Young and the rest of the CCNY voices but I also love the memories that it brings back... as I think of my brother. http://www.neilyoung.com/

Honorable mention... (this list could go on and on and on and on....)
Eddie Vetter - Last Kiss
Four Seasons - Big Girls Don't Cry
Jimi Hendrix

I love my brother - and I love to share music with him.
I hope this has your iPod spinnin' tonight Roger -

Have a GREAT week Big Bro!

Happy Birthday, I love you!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

At the Bayou!


Painting at the Bayou.... silence - laughter - joy - friendship - happiness - concern - anxiety -
silence - love - creativity - saddness - tears - support - nostalgic - frustrated - hungry -
satisfied - accomplished - silence - love ... Painting at the Bayou with Nicki!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Lankenau's Luau on Yellow Creek Lake





We are in the process of planning our 6th annual
"Lankenau's Luau on Yellow Creek Lake".
This is such a fun day - neighbors and friends.... near and far gather for food, drink and fun in the sun. It has become somewhat of a "reunion" for old lake friends that no longer come to YCL - and it is a time for our neighbors to gather and our family and out of town friends to enjoy a day at the lake. The festivities are planned for
Saturday - July 5th ... and as always... we are looking very forward to this highlight of the summer!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Trevor's first weekend at YCL!




We are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend at Yellow Creek Lake! Katie and Tyler and Trevor have come to visit. We miss Phil, because he works Saturday, Sunday & Monday nights... however, it is Phil's work schedule that gives us this precious time to spend with our grandsons and Katie....So, while we do miss Phil, it is wonderful to have this time with Katie and the boys.

Tyler and Trevor are the 5th generation of my family to enjoy Yellow Creek Lake... the joy of family, friends, fun in the sun, and evenings around camp fires - roasting hot dogs and Marshmallows.

We had a great visit with Grandma today - and we enjoyed KFC and an assortments of salads - and Grandma's homebaked pies!

I'm so blessed - I love living at the lake with my peaceful husband- it often feels like we are on vacation all the time. I love sharing the lake with my children and my grandchildren. I love it when Mom comes up - and we all share this legacy that Grandpa and Grandma Pence started for us in the early 1930's....

PS: Betsy & Debbie - We hope you had a great time at Summer Camp... We Miss You -

Friday, May 23, 2008

Friday's FIVE!



I have been a strong supporter of Victims of Domestic Abuse for several years - I have lived abuse and I've loved other victims who have lived domestic abuse... and in honor of my friend, Lisa Mora - who died at the hands of her abusive husband one year ago today, this week's Friday's FIVE! is a simple focus of my favorite references and websites that support victims of domestic abuse.
I encourage any person involved in an abusive situation to GET OUT - GET HELP! There IS life after abuse. You can be peaceful and happy!


National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
This website - and this telephone number can direct you to your local agencies that support victims of domestic violence.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
This is another National organization that offers a lot of valuable information - and support.


3. "The Verbally Abusive Relationship"
Patricia Evans
Patricia Evans has several books on Verbal Abuse - Domestic violence usually begins with Verbal abuse, but ends in more physical violence. A search on Amazon or at your public library on"Domestic Abuse" will direct you to many good resources.


4. "Life Strategies"
Dr. Phil McGraw
While this book isn't directly written for survivors of domestic violence - it was many of these 'Life Strategies' that helped me find my own way out of my own domestic abuse. Dr. Phil's "Life Laws" teach you principles necessary for being treated with dignity and respect.


5. Dr. Irene's Verbal Abuse Website
This site is created, owned, operated, and funded by Dr. Irene Matiatos. I believe the site has been up and running since at least 1996 - and during the worst of my roller coaster, this website gave me an avenue to voice my pain. I had personal correspondence with Dr. Irene - before and after I divorced - and her support was so eye opening and valuable to me.


PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN DO TO END THE LEGACY OF ABUSE...!!!!!!!!!

In Memory of Lisa Mora


One year ago today, my friend, Lisa Mora was murdered by her husband, Omar Mora - with her mother and two young sons (7 & 2) witnessing the violent murder. Lisa lived in an abusive relationship - and was controlled by her abusive husband for years. Sadly, many people were not aware of the abuse that was going on in their home, and were suprised that Omar could do such a thing. This is the pattern for abusers ... convincing everyone else they are charming people, while they emotionally, verbally, physically and sexually abuse their partners. Isolation is their goal, while attempting to convince their victims that they are responsible for the behavior. Abuse leaves a terrible legacy that is passed down from generation to generation. Abuse can be emotional, physical, verbal, substance or sexual, but the same patterns and behaviors develop in the victim - and the children that are witness to abuse live a life that examples the abuse as normal and acceptable behavior, thus resulting in a destiny of a lifetime of abuse.

The legacy must be stopped -
Break the Silence .... Make a Call.
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
http://www.ndvh.org/


HELP FIND OMAR MORA
OMAR MORA fled the scene and has not been seen since. In July 2007, his truck was found in Chicago. He is suspected to be in Mexico.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=45464
AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
1-800-CRIME-TV

REST IN PEACE LISA,
WE MISS YOU!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

My New Shoes!!!

Here are my new shoes and Wally, the walker, my new walking buddy for the next few weeks. I went to the Dr. yesterday - and everything seems to be going well. I believe I'm in less pain this time than I was 1 week post surgery with the other two surgeries (Sept 2007 & Dec 2007) on my left foot. I return to have the sutures removed next week - and then consult with the physician on June 20th to see if the pin is ready to be removed. If it is not - I will have to wait until the week of July 7th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that June 20th is sufficient - while I certainly want to make sure the fusion is successful this time. For those of you facing removal of a Morton's Neuroma or Metatarsophalangeal fusion... having been through both surgeries twice... I recommend following Dr. orders - and avoid cortizone injections and leave pins in as long as possible. I believe the two cortizone injections in my left foot to 'stave' off surgery to remove the neuroma - probably compromised the volar plate in my foot - resulting in the hammertoe and the necessity of the Metatrsophalangeal fusion and tendon transfers. The first attempt to fuse resulted in a 'non-union' and required a second fusion surgery. In the mean time... all the weight bearing and compression on my right foot resulted in another Mortons Neuroma in my RIGHT foot. This time - the neuroma was removed without prior cortizone injections. The neuroma on my left foot was in the less common location between the 2nd and 3rd toe - the neuroma on my right foot was between my 3rd and 4th toe, the location of 80% of all neuromas.

Here is my disclaimer - If you are squeamish - the photos below are not pleasant....
If not ... and you have done a blog search for Morton's Neuroma or Hammertoe repair.... the following will help with your expectation of incision locations and results 1 week Post Op.

PS: For my family and friends have that enjoyed my party trick... looks like my unique ability to 'flip the toe' will remain intact!!!!




Sunday, May 18, 2008

Spring Planting

My Spring planting is done - I have fertilized for the first time.... and now - I can recover from my surgery among a beautiful canvas of color.... I love taking care of my flowers, preening, and plucking and picking.... and I love that every boat that passes enjoys my flowers as much as I do!


I bought 'sap' buckets on ebay this year.... I've used a lot of dichondria in these pots...so it will vine and hang well below these pots by the end of the summer. Some of the pots are filled with impatients - others have petunias.


another 'sap' bucket with dichondria and brachyscome -
most of my goods were purchased at Anderson's in Warsaw...but I'll stop at any greenhouse along the road!!!

http://angelo-bernacchi.com/
I bought these BRIGHT ORANGE geraniums at Bernacchi's in LaPorte, IN. I love them!!!! The front porch is planted in HOT colors to inspire the Margarativille atmosphere that we enjoy....Living on Lake time!


Lots of purple, hot pinks and oranges...in clay pots.
In a few weeks - the pots won't even be visable. I love Osteospermum - in Lemon Symphony, Melon Symphony and Soprano, a dark purple daisy like flower. I love the Cherry Blossom superbells and new this season, Dreamsicle.


Spiral rush, geraniums, superbells and Margarita Sweet potato vine will cover the steps.


Pink Verbena, brachyscome, bacopa, sweet potato vine and geraniums fill watering cans,
pails and minnow buckets.


More geraniums, brachyscome and a heart Ivy Topiary, sweet potato vine and Osteospermum.


I love this galvanized container - It was a gift from my brother and sister-in-law and it has
"Lankenau" embossed on the front. It is packed full of a purple assortment of annuals including Osteospermum and trailing purple Superbells with some bacopa hanging on the outside of the steps.


The front planter boxes filled with superbells, lobelia, dichondria, bacopa and Peters Gold Carpet (Bidens)



The side porch has many supertunias.... raspberry blast, vists bubblegum and vista cotton candy. I've used a lot of licorice and marguarite daisies with Diamond Frost Eurphorbia.




My wrought iron antique container filled with "hot" impatients and coleus




A basket of purple osteospermum, bacopa and bordeaux petunias on a stump under the arch.
The Archway is covered with Akebia and Sweet Autumn clematis that was a start from my mother-in-law, Jan. They vines have been established for about 5 years and are really beginning to take off. I enjoy the archway as it is where my bird feeder is and the house wren nests each year. It is just outside the window from our dining table and I enjoy watching the perennials come up. The iris is a Pink iris that Janet Kirkwood shared with me. I treated Janets grand-daughter and Janet became a very good friend. I think of her everytime the pink iris blooms.
Its early, and the plants have just been planted - I will post more photos as they mature.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Addendum....


In honor of Katie's 28th birthday - my Friday FIVE! this week focused on the things that Katie and I enjoy doing together... however, there is one thing that I didn't include in the Friday FIVE! that is certainly worth an addendum - and possibly could have been top on the list of the Friday FIVE! When Katie was just 13 years old - we took our first family trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Little did we know, that it would become a family favorite vacation spot. We have since returned many, many times - and hiked many, many different trails in the National Park. Katie celebrated her 16th birthday on the Abrams Falls trail - and Betsy celebrated her 16th birthday on the Alum Cave Bluff trail. Two years ago - we took Tyler, the next generation to hike Andrews Bald. Discussing this with Katie today - we realized that there are so many things that we love about hiking in the smokies - packing the sandwiches for lunch on the trail, the sights and smells and vistas to enjoy on the trail, the time together, the silence, the hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg and the taste of the cold beer after the hike - just to mention a few. There is just so much to enjoy - together as a group ... or just with our partners. We have passed this love on to a new generation....and before long, we'll be planning a trip to introduce Trevor to the Smokies.....

Friday, May 16, 2008

Homemade Noodles!


One of Katie's favorite meals is her Momma's Homemade Noodles...

When I would make noodles when Katie and Betsy were little - I had to shoo them out of the kitchen area or they would eat the noodles raw before they had a chance to cook. So, for Katie... in honor of her birthday month - I am posting my Homemade Noodle Recipe -

Mindy's Homemade Egg Noodles

1 Cup Bread Flour
1 T Vegetable Oil
3/4 tsp. salt
3 T Water
1 Egg
Bread flour for rolling and dusting


Place four in a medium bowl - make a well in the center and add the rest of the ingredients. With a fork, stir to combine until a ball of dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured space and knead until a smooth dough is achieved - about 5 minutes. Cover dough with tea towel and allow to rest for 45 minutes.


Cut dough in half. Roll out one-half to approx. 14X8inch rectangle, not quite paper thin. Sprinkle dough surface lightly with a bit more flour, flip over, and sprinkle more flour on the other side. Transfer to a tea towel and repeat with remaining dough. Allow the rolled out dough to stand 20-30 minutes.


Roll dough up like a jelly roll, starting from the short side. Use a very sharp knife, cut the noodles about 3/8" wide. Unroll each slice onto the tea towel, sprinkle with a bit more flour and allow to stand until noodles are completely dry - this may take several hours, depending on the humidity in the air or the amount of moisture in the flour.


We like to cook our noodles in a very rich, chicken broth seasoned with clove.
I love the satisfied look on the faces of my family as they enjoy the taste of the rich homemade noodles!!





Friday's FIVE!

My oldest child celebrates her 28th birthday tomorrow... I cannot believe it has been 28 years since the day she was born. She came into this world with a head full of dark hair...weighing in at 9 pounds 12 1/2 oz. She was a beautiful baby... and she was everything I wanted!! She has grown to be an amazing mother - an incredible wife....and a devoted daughter. Katie is also my friend. I cherish the love of my daughters and the relationship I have with both of them. I'm so grateful to have two daughters that I love and enjoy so much... and also to have two daughters that love each other so much. There isn't anything that brings as much joy to a mothers heart - as seeing her children enjoy each other! This Friday's FIVE! is a celebration of Katie's Birthday Week!!! This Friday's FIVE! is all about Katie and the things we enjoy together!

1. Katie has always wanted to be "Amish" ... she is fascinated by the Amish lifestyle - and has been since she was a young girl. We love to make long road trips to Amish Country - and see clothes hanging on lines, gardens in full bloom, foals in the fields and Amish children in carts and buggies. We love to stop at local bakeries lighted by gas lanterns - we love to have lunch at a family style Amish restaurant and we love to shop the furniture and quilt stores. These are wonderful days!


2. Katie and I love to eat lunch at Flores in Gas City. We both love Mexican Cuisine - and Flores is a local family that began by selling tacos from a stand at local festivals. Tyler loves hot sauce and was been eating refried beans and hot sauses before he could sit up by himself. Keeping with the Mexican theme, we also enjoy a cold Corona or a pitcher of Margarita's. We all love to be together in front of a bowl of homemade Salsa and Guacamole with a cold Corona on a lazy lake Sunday.


3. Katie appreciates the joy of cooking. Since she was a child, she has stood across the counter from me while I cooked and observed my techniques ... she adopted many of those cooking techniques, but has also learned many of them on her own as she has been watching Food TV since she was in middle school. This Christmas, we enjoyed a 'candy clinic' together...and many lake mornings start with Katie's YUMMY sausage gravy and biscuits. She still calls me frequently to discuss a technique or a favorite family recipes. She is an amazing cook and yet, she still loves her Mama's cooking!


4. Katie and I both love country music....and we love to listen to it together. We are both married to men that would rather lose a nights sleep than listen to country music, so when we are together (and the guys aren't with us), we take advantage of the mutual admiration of the Nashville sound and crank up the CMT! We have enjoyed several country concerts together....including Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.


5. Katie and I both love antiques - and love to spend hours perusing antique stores and malls together. We generate a lot of discussion about family heirlooms and personal favorites. We linger over the pink depression glass, cut glass and hand painted chintz. We look at the pottery and we look at primitives. We also enjoy Art Fairs and Flea Markets. We enjoy these things because of the items we like to look at - but mostly because we enjoy the company of each other.


As always - this is not an all inclusive list ... this is just the top five that come to my mind this evening. I'm so thankful for my Daughter, my friend. This celebrates you, Katie!!!! The day you were born was one of the best days of my life!!!! The Lilacs are blooming!!! The Robins are nesting.... Enjoy YOUR birthday month!!! Enjoy your Birthday Week!!!!



Happy Happy Birthday Katie!!!!


Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Coffee and Pain Pills!


My surgery went well and we returned home by 9:20PM last night. While I'm in some pain this morning, I'm appreciative of being home...in my own chair - with my favorite red-headed, bearded nurse at my side. I'm comfortable right now, with ice on my feet - a little cloudy from the pain pills... but certainly enjoying my coffee this morning! Now it's time to heal!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Boys Boys Boys!!!



I love these boys ... all of them!!! As the mother of two daughters - it is soooo exciting to be the MeMe to two amazing Grandsons... but also to share these boys with my husband.
Bruce did not have children before we married... and Tyler was 2 years old when we married.
A new baby in the family is always exciting - but it is especially exciting to share this baby with my dear husband... who has never experienced a new baby so close to his heart. Although my daughters were adults when we married... he has always considered Katie and Betsy - his girls. He loves them and is protective of them as if they were his own. Tyler loves his Grandpa because, as Tyler says... "he plays like a kid". They are two peas in a pod - and enjoy the company of each other. When Tyler spends the night - he still likes to try to climb in Grandpa's lap and share a bowl of popcorn while watching a movie. I love his gentleness with these boys - and I love his love for these boys. I am so blessed ... to have wonderful daughters that love thier stepdad... and a wonderful husband that loves my children.... and we are blessed to share these wonderful Grandsons!!!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Friday's FIVE!

(This photo was taken in 1962... My Grandma Alexander is in the pink bathing suit...and my beloved Mother is the hot babe in the Blue bathing suit.... The cute little girl in the middle is ME!)

This is Mother's Day weekend.... and while I am about to celebrate my 28th year as a mother...
I also celebrate the love and devotion of my own wonderful mother. This weeks Friday FIVE! is a celebration of all the things she has done for all of us... but especially 5 of the favorite memories I have of my own mother. I will have a very, very difficult time limiting this to just 5 memories as my mother has always been so special in my life. I'm sure I will come up with many, many more than five - and I'm sure that after I have posted the 5 favorite memories....I will think of many more - but for now, these are the top five that I'm thinking of tonight.


1. Mom used to stay up very late - sewing dresses for me. She is the ultimate seamstress and I had the prettiest dresses in school to prove it. She would sew miles and miles and miles of piping on my dresses. I shared her love for sewing and I remember many telephone conversations and fabric store visits where we would share the experience and sew these dresses for my own daughters. She taught me so much about a needle and thread - she taught me the appreciation for fabric and colors - patterns and detail. I love that she passed this on to me - and that we shared our love of sewing together.


2. I have always struggled with my weight. The mother of friend of mine had lost weight going to Weight Watchers. In 1973 - I was 15 years old and tired of the battle of the buldge. I wanted to join Weight Watchers too. As a minor - Mother was able to come with me ... even though she was very thin and didn't need to lose an ounce. She came along as my support. She took the time to come - just for me. She also would prepare all of the food that was required on the Weight Watchers program at the time - which included fish 5 times a week ... and liver once a week. Mom prepared the liver in every way possible. She made Tuna burgers - and egg salad. She had frozen blueberries ready for me every day after school. The program worked - and I lost over 70#. It was a very exciting time and she was so devoted - and I couldn't have done it without her. I think fondly of those days....


3. After I married and had children of my own - I continued Weight Watchers, and later went to work for Weight Watchers. I was the discussion leader for a Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening class. My Mother and I would go to lunch every Tuesday between the classes. Sometimes we took the girls with us - sometimes a neighbor watched them. The time together with my mother was priceless. It was a much needed day out as a young mother needed to connect with her own mother. I cherish that time... I have so many happy memories with my Mom and my young daughters during that time.


4. My mother did a wonderful job caring for her own parents and she was a very, very devoted daughter. After Grandpa died, when it was time to sell my Grandparents home - Mother and I went to their house to begin the 'clean out' process. It was a sad time - but we rolled up our sleeves and dug into it with open minds. We laughed alot that day - and we cried a lot that day as we poured over items in their home that brought memories to both of us. Mother was in the bathroom cleaning out drawers - and I was in the living room going through books. Suddenly, I was startled to hear her scream from the bathroom... Her scream though, was because she was finding cash in bandaid boxes stashed away in Grandpa's drawers in the bathroom. At the end of the day, we had found several hundreds of dollars hidden in many obscure places. My grandparents lived the depression - and Grandpa wasn't going to be without money. Mom and I laughed and laughed and laughed over this ... and the laughter helped us put away the tears.
It was a sad day that turned out to be a wonderful happy memory.


5. A few years ago we had a wonderful girls night out! Mom, Katie, Betsy and I all went to Indianapolis to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at Conseco Fieldhouse. We ate at at the Restaurant in the balcony of the fieldhouse and had a wonderful time (and lots of beers and wine) We were right on the railing - and had an absolutely wonderful view of the concert.
We decided to give up our seats for the great view from the restaurant - it was just too much fun being served our drinks and staying right where we were. It was an enchanted evening of three generations of women enjoying an evening of great music and food and drink together.
These are just FIVE of my favorite memories - certainly not my only memories - and not necessarily the very, very best memories - just 5 very happy, very happy wonderful memories I have of my wonderful mother this Mothers Day weekend. I have many, many, many wonderful memories with my mother - and I'm so blessed that she is still a very active part of my life.
I'm so lucky to have been influenced by my mother. I am also lucky enough to have been influenced by many positive women in my life including both of my grandmothers, Grandma Alexander and Grandma Pence as well as many other women in my life - including all of my Aunts, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Ginger and Aunt Margaret. I'm also thankful to have been influenced by my former Mother-in-Law, Dubie and my current Mother-in-Law, Jan. Janyce Ward, a close family friend was also a very positive maternal figure in my life.
So - I raise a toast this Mother's Day weekend ... to all of the Mother's in my life....
and especially - to my own dear Mother - that I cherish with all of my heart!
Happy Mother's Day Mom - I love you heaps and heaps and heaps and.....
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Monday, May 5, 2008

Hydrangeas!


I planted two beautiful 'Big Daddy' Hydrangeas last year on either side of my steps and they produced beautiful, huge blooms. I enjoyed them all summer long!!! I carefully mulched and covered with styrofoam cones last fall. They were supposed to be hardy with 'winter covering'. So far... the southwest has not presented any growth. The southeast has new growth, but there aren't any buds on the 'old' growth, which is where the blooms comes from.

I'm giving up on the Big Daddy's and planting Endless Summer - "Orginal" this year...

I love the beautiful blooms of these macrophyllas... and I won't give up completely.

I've got some Annabelle's that I've had for years... very, very hardy in Northern Indiana (Zone 5B) Annabelle is a large white bloom that is very forgiving. It will bloom if you cut it back... it will bloom if you don't cut it. It doesn't require 'wintering' and it dries beautifully! The arborescens is a taller shrub - not as compact as the macrophyllas and the blooms aren't quite as a big. Annabelle's are white - and the color isn't manipulated by the pH of the soil, as macrophyllas are.

So, here's to dirty fingernails and mud between my toes!!! I love my garden ..... and I love my hydrangeas! I love the smell of dirt and watching night crawlers scurry as I dig holes for plants.

I love summer!!!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Here I go again!

Next week - on May 13th - I'm having surgery on my left foot - my third surgery on this foot in less than 8 months. I'm also having a surgery on my right foot at the same time...
I have a lot of anxiety about the whole process....
I've been living in constant pain for about a year though - and I'm praying for good results this time.
I'm scared.... and I'm sure not looking forward to the pain and the recovery.
My last surgery required a pin - and it was very painful.... I'll be pinned again - and I dread spending the month of June with my foot elevated on ice - as I'm bleary eyed from pain meds.
I'm praying the results are good and I'm able to get back to the activities I love... my biking, hiking, walking and YMCA work outs. I'm also hoping that while I'm dreading the summer in recovery....that at least the next Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season will be pain free this year.
What a long, strange trip this has been.....

Friday, May 2, 2008

Friday's FIVE!


April 30, 2008 - at 3:15PM ... I am now a MeMe X 2!!!!
When Tyler was born 8 years ago - I learned quickly that being a Grandparent was truly one of the greatest joys ... and one of the best life rewards. In honor of both of my blessed grandsons,
TYLER AND TREVOR
This weeks Friday's FIVE! will focus on 5 wonderful things about being a MeMe!

1. Having Grandchildren to love - unconditionally... no expectations - just love....
Endless, endless love....that is also reciprocated by the grandchildren in the most precious... heartfilled way.

2. Watching your child become one of the greatest mothers of all time. What a testimony to motherhood ... to see my own child become a mother that I admire and respect.

3. Sharing the things I love to do with my Grandsons - like a bicycle event, a hike in the smokey mountains, a kayak tour...
4. Enjoying things with my Grandsons that I wouldn't do if it weren't for them... things like - watching animated videos, eating Lego waffles, shopping for dinosaurs and playing with nerf toys.

5. Spending wonderful, blessed time with my blessed Grandsons....having them spend the night - buying them junk and candy - watching the same Shrek movie over and over again instead of my favorite TV show - taking them to the movie - digging for worms and catching crawdads in the creek, packing picnics and playing outside - and sending them home to the capable hands of their parents as I enjoy the peacefulness of our empty nest!



Life is good - and Grandchildren are Gods way of saying 'Life goes on'...
When I married my daughters' father - my own grandmother gave me a little plaque with a prayer that said....
"Look down with favor, Oh Lord on these thine servants..... and bless them with the love of their children's children"...


Dear Lord - Thank you for hearing her prayer....and granting me the love of my own children's children!