My Going's On...

Lately my posts have not been nearly as personal as normal.  Lots on my mind and keeping busy because of this.  So here are a few snippets of my going's on...


This is one of my 9 nieces (the youngest in fact), whom I've been spending much of my time with...

Isn't she a doll?!

This here is one of the 6 felines in which has been taking up much of my time and energy...

Want some cuddle time?

Ya thought we got rid of them didn't you?  We attempted to...I promise we did...however that didn't work out.  Instead, we kept them one.and.a.half.more.weeks.longer!  And yesterday was the end of that time period...

"Wait..what?!"

 Bye-bye kittens...I did enjoy you...I promise I did...but you grew...and you claw...and you climb...and you poop (and when there's 6 of you...well you know!) ... and you eat real food now .. $$$ ...just sayin'.  

"Well then...zzz"

In between babies and kittens I've been stretching my creativity in the sewing department...

Partly finished couch cover!

And the paint department!


One day the Lord gave me a vision (yes He still does this) ... and then an impression (He still gives these too) to paint it.  This is the product ...

Those are wings...if you were wondering

And while all these activities were happening one of the most beautiful of God's creations bloomed in my own backyard...

Let's get a closer look...

yellow, red-speckled canna-lily

Gorgeous eh?


And then today I craved something lemony...so I made this...

still baking

now cooling

slice of lemon pound cake anyone?

It is yummy and very lemony ;o)  


That's all folks!

Enjoying My Kup...and Cake!
                                          Cindy
                  

Backyard Re-Vamp!

I have to admit I'm extremely excited about this project that I'm in the middle of doing.  However, I can really kick myself for not taking pictures of the "before".  One needs a vision to really appreciate the hard work that is put into a thing, ya know?  I do have one...only one...picture that was taken way before we moved in... a completely different angle and entirely different part of the yard that I've been working on, but if you can put your imagination to work you just might get that vision needed.

To my dear friends...and landowner's...credit the piles of wood and limbs ...and shopping cart...were removed before we arrived ;0) and at the same time Steve and I shared with them that we'd like to take on the project.   So, now that all this has been put into right perspective, I have myself a blank slate.  

Although most of my sweat has been put into the area behind the person taking the picture ... where a grove of banana trees resided with deep holes that were dug by big desert tortoises (they have since found other homes) and an overgrown geranium bush speaking "trim me, transplant me, do whatever it takes to make me pretty again!", I did spread that loving sweat to other parts of the yard that is displayed in the above picture...

This bush was formed into a tree...it will bloom pretty orange flowers.  I hear there's an alligator lizard that lives behind it.  I have yet to see it, but I'm suspecting my dog has spied it ... she's occasionally high-tailin' it right out to that spot!

Palm is trimmed, flower bed is turned over, and new free plants are in the ground.

Lemon tree is freshly trimmed and the underbrush is no longer an issue!

Now for the unseen section of the re-vamp...

Geranium plant pulled out and some saved in water to transplant, and underneath all of that I found what you see now coming up... camalilies ... can't wait until they bloom!  Oh, excuse the pile of dead geranium branches ... green waste bin is full.

And lastly, my favorite part, the banana tree transplant.  My hope is that the lovely telephone pole will be hidden as soon as these beauties grow ;0)  Side note:  The rock in the middle is one of the "artifacts" I found under the mounds in the banana grove.  So, therefore, it is on display to remind me...well, of the goodness of the Lord in the strength He gave me to do such a job.  (I shan't forget that my dear husband helped with diggin' the 2 ft holes to plop the trees in ;o)

 I will certainly keep y'all updated on the progress of the yard.  Today, instead of yard work, my girls and I took a long dip in the ocean to cool off...

 You don't see any of us because one of us is under this ocean foam finishing the wave out, one is drying off from doing the same from another wave, and one is taking the picture with wet hands having already done the first.  You'll just have to take my word for it ;o)


Enjoying My Kup...
                  Cindy

"Men On Mondays"

Well...Cindy had to re-train me on how to get on the web site and get started.  I guess that means that it has been too long since I blogged.  I don't know if anyone missed me, but Cindy insisted that I keep going, so if it makes her happy...then guess what?? 


My thoughts are called "Men on Mondays".  Every Monday, I will have a story or two that may or may not keep you looking at our blog every Monday.  I'm sure that there will be many things to discuss, feel free to share your stories. 


Here's to the first installment of "Men On Mondays"!  I say cheers as I sip on my Diet Coke instead of Koffee.


Ode to Walking...


There in the past, when I used to walk fast
While I was still young in my step
Seeing nothing at all, my step would not fall
I raced to the end of my quest.


Walking am I, with eyes to the sky
My lungs need many a breath
Walking a trail, just dragging my tail
I'm really just passing a test.


The difference I see, is I'll never be
A lad with the spring in my step.
The man that I am, with the great "I am"
Is seeing what He wants me to see.



Cindy and I went on a walk yesterday...we don't do that enough!  How many of us live in beautiful places, but get caught up life only to never enjoy the creation that is God.  For those of you that don't live in the most beautiful places...places that are described as "smelling like money", just play along.  If you have a favorite vacation spot, take the time to "vacation" with your family!


I can tell that I'm getting old, because as we started the hike, my body was reminding me..."just pace yourself".  Just pace myself??  Up a slight incline??  I needed to pace myself...just 5 minutes into the walk, I was huffing and puffing and was looking for a spot to rest.  Just in the nick of time, we came upon a river and it was the perfect spot for me to ask Cindy "do you need to rest?"  I needed to rest!  I needed to rest??  It's OK to rest. 


I talked to my dad on the telephone tonight, he is 78 years old and he was trying to install a garbage disposal in his kitchen.  He told me that the only problem he would have in the installation process was holding the disposal up long enough to connect it to the sink.  My dad could fix anything...I could sprint up a mountain trail...my dad is still smart...I 'm just learning to listen.  I'm just learning to rest.

To the "Men On Mondays" I always laugh at how things were easier when I was young.  I could eat a whole pizza, now a container of Tums...I could do a lot of sit-ups, now when I sit, I can't get up...I used to be able to fit on the couch for a nap...now the nap is 3 hours...don't even talk about how my high school letter jacket fits!  Remember the fun...but remember to listen, rest and enjoy your walks.

Enjoying Mondays!!

Steve

Yada Yada Yada...

Birthday Holiday = No School. Check.
Birthday lunch at Wild Cats Den.  Check.
Birthday cake decorated.  Check.
Birthday presents opened.  Check.
Birthday girl happy.  Check.
Intestinal flu still in motion. Yuck.
Broken tooth...down to the gum line.  Ugh.
Wet blue ink found in washing machine.  Crap. Ach! (thank goodness it was mixed with dark, colored clothing!)

This has been a mixed day...one of celebration mixed with all that could possibly mess that up.  However, I refuse to let that happen.  My 12 year old baby girl, "Boo", will not have her excitement dispelled because mom is being "slammed", if I can help it.

This day is still not over, but my glass will be half full...I'm determined ;)


Enjoying My Kup...
                        Cindy