A "New" Christmas Tree

Well, having a round tuit doesn't even help one find 15 minutes a day to work on a blog, but I have found my round tuit while cleaning the kitchen drawers.

As is our custom we went to some garage sales last weekend.  They were mostly a wash-out as we didn't find any horns and there was little else that interested us, but figure the items I did find and purchase are reason to celebrate. The main item cost all of  50 cents.  I brought it home, washed it and will add some glitter to it later.  It will be a welcome addition when it is time to put up a Christmas tree.  Last year I downsized trees and got a small one with lights attached.  It shed the plastic needles everywhere. This tree will NOT shed as it is ceramic.  It has a lamp light in it that shines through the small plastic bulbs on each bough.  Two lights are missing, but we can put them on the back side. or as Paul suggested look for a light bright set to use as replacement lights. It will look so good on my dining table or in the picture window.

My New Christmas Tree

The second item, we found at the same place for a quarter. I haven't decided where to us it yet but will soon.

Paul always is on the look-out for crocks. 

We were certainly the "last of the big spenders" last week, but I was especially happy to get the tree.















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It's been almost 2 yrs. since I've posted on this blog--how time flies.as they say! Of course a lot happened last year and so far tis year and I've had every intention of posting, but just haven't gotten  around to it--even though there is a wooden round "tuit" somewhere in my kitchen drawers--so that is no excuse.


For a long time, I have followed flylady (www.flylady.net) and one thing she espouses is: "You can do anything for 15 minutes".  So. I am taking that to heart and plan to spend 15 minutes per day on this blog and 15 minutes per week on the other one.

Recently, my daughter from Nacogdoches and her daughter made several trips to do some painting on our interior. The daughter and son-in-law came from San Antonio with their 4 kids and spent several days prepping and painting. So far it looks good! I'm anxious to get more done now.  Since I can't do much now because of the ataxia, I am dependant on others so it sometimes takes longer,but we'll get there.  We are so blessed with this family--they have all helped us in so many ways/

I'm especially anxious to get the kitchen and bathroom remodeling done.  We talked about putting a half table in the kitchen so I can sit at it to do some prep jobs instead of standing at the counter.  At a garage sale recently we found an old library table (with one drawer in each side ) made of oak and only 30" wide. We decided it would work in this space full-width, to keep it in tact as a table.  Paul coated the top of it with acrylic to waterproof it and I've already made good use of it.

This makes a good place to work and eat, too.  those two chairs are good kitchen chairs for now !

polyurethane he used to finish table sitting on linoleum counter top.

closeup of table top--with my walker in the way--that drawer might be handy,too.

More flowers!

Paul's Texas Star has been blooming all week.  This is the one that is supposed to be a mix of the red and white flowers.  So far it has had only red flowers.  Next spring, we will plant more of the mixed seeds.

So enjoy the purple flowers out the kitchen window.  I think they are called "Yesterday,today,and tomorrow", but I am not sure.

Closeup they resemble petunias.

A second Pot of them sits  by the carport.

Monday I rode my bike (trike) about 3 miles.  Due to rain, heat, and painful knees I haven't ridden it in a long while.  I think I was out of shape.

I think long term the bike riding is good for the joints but short term it  was  painful   afterwards.

And Another Day!

I worked extra hours crocheting the last few days and completed the granny square afghan yesterday. There is a compulsion to finish a project, but an empty feeling with not having it to work on once it is done. This afghan is about 40 inches square--so it makes a nice lap robe.  Maybe someone in the nursing home can make good use of it this winter and fall.

Paul drooled over the watermelons earlier in the summer. 4th of July we got a really good one.  It was sweeter than any we had last year.  This one is locally grown and is in the "ice box" aka fridge now.

Paul's white Texas Star!

He got seeds for this from a customer.
He tried mix it with a red, but so far only got another  red one.

The moss roses (portulaca) just keeps,blooming its heart out.  It always makes me think of the urn Mama had in her front yard with a variety of moss rose in it. They really liked the sunshine there in San Antonio.  I tried a number of times to start a cutting of that out of Mama's urn, but I was never able to get it to grow.

I think hers was a fuller, bigger flower.  It was different in some way.

Moss Rose in our planter.

I have been unable to write since early in the year.  I have seen a neurologist who says I had a small stroke sometime.  He refuses to make any association between the writing dysfunction and the stroke, but I personally think there is a connection.  I also think my dizziness and unbalance is connected, but the doctors insist I see an ENT doctor next. At any rate, I have been doing self directed therapy on the writing.  I can "draw" the letters and words on lines pretty well, but writing normally without lines is a disaster.

My writing practice one day.  I have worked on my signature and got it looking fairly normal.

We keep on keepin' on, day by day.

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Update on Celebrate

It has been some time since we have posted.  Some days we have been busy celebrating the day.  Other days we just plodded through.

Here are a few things we have celebrated in recent months

So thankful for an Rx to relieve knee and ankle problems!

Making a granny square afghan (lap robe) from Mimi's left over yarn!
It is turning out pretty.

My first ever pedicure at the local beauty school!

Baking sugar cookies for VBS.

A friend helped me get replacements for my upper dentures.
So good to have a nice smile once again.

Other things we have enjoyed include a visit from Mimi's sister, and Paul's aunt, from San Antonio before she began chemo for lung cancer.She was able to stay several weeks.

We took Mimi up to Spurger one Saturday morning to Hatton's vegetable stand; then we went to the cemetery at Warren and by her old home place.  A nice outing.

One of my daughters and 2 grandchildren came to visit for a couple of days. I enjoyed seeing them, and we took in the movie "Brave" at the local theater while they were here.

I visited with the daughter and grands in San Antonio via Skype. That was a neat and new experience.

We continue to work out at Curves, and Paul is losing pounds and inches. He seems to have more energy, and the doctor reduced the dosage on his blood pressure medicine.  

We eat at the Sr. Citizen Center almost every day. We have made some new friends there,  and enjoy the camaraderie.

Little things mean a lot!

We're still enjoying the flowers. Mimi's Pink Dogwoods are in full flower this morning. She was told they wouldn't grow in these parts.  These trees prove differently.

Pink Dogwoods

The white dogwoods are full blown right now.

White Dogwoods looking out from the carport.

Yesterday, Paul was so excited to find a single bluebonnet blooming in the music store yard.  We had bluebonnets in this area several years ago, but they seem to have died out. Surprise! Surprise!

Paul's Bluebonnet

What a Wonderful Week!

Everyday here is a joy this time of year with all the beautiful flowers blooming.

Hedged Up Azaleas are so pretty this year.

The wisteria is every where now, both purple and white.

Mimi wore her walker out and had to get a new one last week. She chose a hot pink one.

We are so thankful that she has a walker to get around with.

Singing Saturday Night.

We joined a group from Southside Church of Christ at Kevin and Kelley's home between Woodville and Hillister Saturday night for supper and singing. It was fabulous.  Lot's of good food followed by some wonderful singing, The acoustics in their living room was outstanding.  Paul even got to lead--or teach Eunie's song, "I'm Going Back", to the group,  As far as we know it has never been sung in all its parts before. He also introduced a song called "Sunset".  He enjoys so much being with a group that can sing all the parts.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the church of Christ, we sing A Capella and our gospel songs are generally written with shape notes and sung in 4 part harmony.

My Projects

I mostly made a new fishing hat for my sister-in-law's sister.  The one I made her last year had a way too big brim and we haven't had a chance to change it until now.  They are coming this week to visit Mimi.
pictures later on that one.

I finished up a new born cap this week.  I am using up yarn that is here, so had to add a white stripe on this one to fill in.

My latest project

Started another newborn cap yesterday.  It is actually aqua blue and a creamy white, but the light on the iridescent thread makes it look pink.