Saying Good Bye To An Old Friend....

  I have a new appreciation for those who loose a long time pet.. the house was much too quite this morning.  

Rikki was not at her bowl screaming for food. 

 Will take some time to get over her not being here. 

 In her 18 years she moved where we moved and was always the one thing that made the new place a home.

 I'm feeling "I took her for granted" 

 I also know, when someone says "Oh just get another cat"

 it's not the same. 

"She can't be replaced" 

 (her last photo)

 Busy Sandy, keep busy!

 "Bye Bye Sweet Girl"

Saying good bye to "The Pier" in St. Petersburg

The people gathered on the top level of "The Pier" today to say good bye.  St. Petersburg was celebrating Memorial Day and the town was full of beach goers. I'm sure thousands came and went all day to take part in all the activities going on, there was even a ski show.
After 50 something years this pier in St. Petersburg Florida has been a perfect spot for locals as well as tourists to visit.  Every day through out the year it's busy in there.  Shops, restaurants and an aquarium are (or were) housed inside the large building at the end of The Pier.  This was my 'go to' when visitors came down from the north.

 The Pier jetties out into the Tampa Bay sitting right beside the Coast Guard Station and I for one will miss it.

 At the end of the drive to The Pier is a spot that is so much fun... you can buy fish and feed the Pelicans.   Just hold one and dozens come flying in to be fed.  I wonder where all of these business will go after today?  I did read some will relocate and some simply closed their doors.. such a shame.

 There is another design in the works for a new pier but it's been going back and forth between the citizens here.. some like it and some don't.  So the city council still has not made a decision as to the design.  I know everyone wants this one to stay but it's falling apart and will cost so much more to fix and repair than to build a new one.  
Tonight there will be a big send off, fireworks and parties all evening on and around The Pier... No, I will not be there but I bet it will be fun.

  

 And on another note...

This mom and grandma is breathing a big sigh of relief this past week... in a previous post I told about how my daughter and her family survived the Moore, OK tornado. You can read my post Here
 I've never been so afraid for someone I love as I was that day.  Gina said yesterday "The boys have calmed down and getting back to normal" and that makes my heart sing. 

"Have a wonderful week everyone"

Remember them all, on this "Memorial Day"....

 As of 05/24/13: Number of Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom & New Dawn casualties as confirmed by US Central Command: 6679

And to all the Men and Women who lost their lives so we could be free.  

"Bless You"

The OKC Tornado, my daughter and family survived .... Thank you Lord!

 I was watching the news and they put out the Tornado Warning for OKC... so I called my daughter and gave her the warning... "Oh Mom, we always have tornado's here"... she and her Coast Guard husband just moved there from Guam  5 months ago.
We talked for a while then she said "her Coastie came home, he sent all his shipmates home to care for their families" then while we were talking she said,, "Mom the sirens just went off, we need to get the kids in the Safe Place, bye for now.  

Her bedroom closet is a solid steel structure.

With terror I watched all that happened on CNN.    Then Gina called me with terror in her voice and told me of their horrible half hour in the closet.  The sound will never be forgotten along with the crys of her 4 small boys.  They ventured out of the closet,  peeking out the windows and saw the houses across the street, gone.  Her yard totally full of debree.. they could not get out the front door.  

Her house was spared?

"Mom, OKC is gone".... they had all of a 16 minute warning.  They did have a battery radio but had no photos to confirm the devastation.  The street behind them, all homes gone!  The school one block away totally destroyed.   Each new bit of information had her getting more and more shocked.  The Medical Center where her now 2 month old was born is totally destroyed.
We did manage to speak several times but she had to conserve battery power on her cell,  my heart was so grateful they were spared.

Mom we have no electric and don't know what is going on, can you send me photos or videos?  I did, to her cell, from CNN and she was totally shocked...  "I failed my children" she cried to me.  We were told to get underground and I did not know my neighbor had an underground shelter!  If our house was hit, my children!...  I did all I could to calm her but I'm sure her heart is in so much pain and shock.

We have not talked this morning, again I'm sure they are trying to conserve cell battery until they can find somewhere to plug in but I know they are ok... Her husband walked to the school last night and did what he could do to help... This is just horrible. 

And I worried about them while they lived in Guam, earthquakes three times a week.

  

Lord take care of all those poor people who have no homes, and their families are suffering.

"Thank you Lord for sparing my children"

A beautiful morning to wander the yard and the OKC tornado's.....

This past week has been a hard one for me... not only stuck indoors but recovering from a really big surgery and today I had to get out in the air and sun.  I've been on pain meds so walking as if I had some balance and sense was out of the question.. was rather funny to see me really.

As I first stepped out on the back deck the Mandevilla was blooming in the most beautiful color of red.  
Then I could not believe my eyes but the Gladiolus bulbs I planted just two weeks ago were as high as my hips.. should be in flowers soon but I'm wishing they would hold off for another two weeks since I entered my yard in a contest.. ?

 Then there is the Trumpet tree in full bloom.  These flowers open as wide as a tea saucer and so beautiful.

Not too far from the Trumpet were the Day Lillie's stretching towards the sun.  In another few days the area will be full of beautiful orange flowers.

 Everything out back is so beautiful and green and this alone really made me feel so much better.  It's good to get back to normal.  Another week or so I can get my hands dirty and pull some weeds that managed to sneak in while I've been indoors.

 

 Last but not least is the Gardenia bush... totally in bud with a few flowers blooming.  I wish you all could smell the air outside my front door.  Some may even say "It's too powerful" but I love it!

 Ok, back inside and sit still for a few more days.  The Mr. was yelling at me for going out there but as all of you know the fresh air is the best thing for healing.  

I got a phone call from my daughter yesterday, "Mom there is a tornado over our town" (She lives in OKC)... as she and her family went into the "Safe Place" in her bedroom.  Her master bedroom walk in closet is a totally square box steel storm shelter, with 5 dead bolts inside to keep the door from opening.  It houses not only their clothes but their Storm supplies...Makes me feel so good knowing they have that room.

For those of you in the path of all those storm, "Stay Safe" 

"Have a wonderful week everyone" 

I'm linking up to
Make it Pretty Monday 

 

"Happy Armed Forces Day"

 To all who serve, both past and present.

Where would we be without you?

"Happy Armed Forces Day"

It's day 6 of a radical surgery.....

It's day 6 of my recovery from surgery and I'm so glad to be past it all.  This really hit me harder than expected.

What I had done ........

 Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy; Laparoscopic Supracervical  ... it is called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, uteroscaral ligament colposuspension cystoscopy and anterior and posterior colporrhaphy.

Boy that is a mouth full. 

I did not intend to talk about this on my blog but today's news of "Angelina Jolie's" decision to have a total mastectomy has me thinking even more that I made the right decision for myself.

Over the years there has been so much cancer in my family. My mom, her mom, and her 3 sisters all had one form or another of a deadly cancer.
I've been living with the fear and although each year I had the testing done to detect cancer in my system this deadly disease seemed to have jumped my generation and went on to my then 22 year old daughter (today she is 44 and doing great) who was diagnosed with  cervical dysplasia and part of her cervix removed at such a young age.

This past few years I've been suffering with a very large fibroid and it gave me such problems and after talking to my doctor we decided to remove it along with my uterus and since there was so much cancer to be concerned with we also removed the ovaries,  tubes and part of the cervix.  The reason why only part of my cervix was removed,  we needed to use the remaining part  as an anchor to reinforce the vaginal wall that was prolapsing from the weight of the volly ball size fibroid. (yes I said Volly ball)  You would never have know I had such a large fibroid as I wear a size 6 slacks. Where it was hiding is beyond me?  I lost 8 lbs since the surgery!

I could have lived with all this until someone told me I had cancer but like "Joli" I was not wanting to wait for that to happen and when the news of her surgery came  today I wondered how she would feel of having the surgery I had.  She is young, 37, and she may still want more children?  Her Breast Cancer percentage went from 86% down to 5% and that is a lot.  The article said she was not thinking of removing her ovaries (her mom died from ovarian cancer at a young 56yrs) at this time.
My surgery just put my breast cancer scare down by 50% as all the reproductive organs are connected somehow. 

I'm feeling so good about what I had done and now can look to the future without this one worry.  
I'll have to tell you all, this type of surgery has left me in such pain.  Just today I got up and walked around without my hot pad pressed against my tummy.  I am still on the pain meds but I can think clearer and that is a plus.  I was told it will take another few weeks until I'm back to normal but my mind is at ease for once in many years.  

Since the news came out today about "Jolie" there is also more talk on how many other women have chosen to do this sort of elective surgery to save their lives.  It may seem radical but we all deserve a long and happy life.  
If any of you have had this on your minds talk to your doctors and look into your family tree.  As I said before I had 5 women in my family die from these reproductive cancers and this was a large part of my decision although not one had Breast Cancer.  Two did have ovarian?  I don't have that worry any more.

I'll be taking another week or two then will  get back to blogging.  
Take care of yourselves.

   

 

Thoughts on Mothers Day 2013

 When Mothers Day comes around my heart still seems a bit sad.  I am missing my Mom just as much as I did the day she died.  Why she chose Mothers Day 1998 to leave this world has my mind smiling  as I know Mom wanted us to be sure to remember the day..  All of you out there who have lost your Moms know the feeling, one that always comes to our hearts each day of the year.  I can still hear her voice and smell her sent.  Her loving ways are still with me and with much love I'm sending all the vibes I can muster up to the heavens to her on this Mothers Day.

 As a Mom  I want to thank my kids for all the wonderful years they have given me.  My three all live in different areas of the country and it's been 9 years now since I've had the pleasure of having them all under my roof together.  The photo below is my son and two beautiful daughters. 

Gina, Cyndi and Tom

 This past April my Gina gave me a new grandson. Little Henry had the pleasure of joining his three brothers, Dad and Mom and is such a lucky boy to have joined this happy loving family.

 My kids have always been there for me over the years and spending time with them has been a priority when we can manage to get together.  I received such a sweet gift the other day from my  daughter-in-law Michelle.  

(makes me think she likes him)

 The marriage between Michelle and Tom gave me my wonderful grand daughter  Eve.  This young lady is as sweet and grown up as she can be and I'm so proud of her.  She called me the other night so excited, "Grandma I got a job"  Her first at the tender age of 14 and "it's in a comic book store"

 My daughter #1, Cyndi.  This girl (woman) has made me so proud.  She has been working so hard to build a great life for herself,  bought her first home this past year and has turned it into her dream.  When I need help or anything Cyn is always the first to come running. 

 Below is another gift I received in the mail, just today.  I belong to a great group of women,  "Coast Guard Moms".  We had a gift exchange for Mothers Day and the gift is a beautiful mosaic cross.  In the center is the Coast Guard insignia.  How did she know I have a collection of crosses scattered around my home? How did she know how special the USCG is to me and my family?

Mothers Day comes and go's each year but each day to me is Mothers Day just knowing and having my children.  They make my life special and I can say with great pride, 

"They have made my life what it is today"

Wishing all the Moms and Dads and Grandparents,  Caregivers and Guardians, who take care of and raise kids.

"Happy Mothers Day"

15th Annual Community Water-Wise Awards .. Do I have a chance?

 Today I entered a contest.. 

Tampa Bay Water is accepting applications for the 15^th Annual Community Water-Wise Awards program. If your yard incorporates Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles with attractive design, it may have what it takes to win! The application is online at tampabaywaterwise.org and must be received by June 30, 2013.

If you are a resident, business, builder or other organization in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties as well as the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey, you are eligible to apply!

 For the past 9 years I've been working so hard to get this yard "Florida Friendly"

When I first moved in it was a messy slope and every time the rains came it would wash the soil down into the creek.  The only way I could see saving the soil was to create barriers of brick pavers and as much ground cover as I could.  Well I think I've finally achieved this with  many plantings that created roots to stop the erosion.  I also now do not need as much water to keep it all alive.

The contest asked for only one photo so I hope this collage is ok because it's the one I sent?

I do think I have a good chance because I went into their past winners and I can see I'm right in there.

See the past winners here 

What do you think? Please be honest with me because I'll be chewing my nails until it's over. 

I sent in my application today although I have a few months before they will send out someone to walk my yard (July)... (that is a good thing because I can still add a few things to make it even better).... The Prize is a simple stepping stone for my yard and that would really make me happy because it's acknowledging my hard work. 

Wish me luck!

 I'm linking up to
Outdoor Wednesday 
Share Your Cup Thursday 
Tuesdays Garden Party 

Garage Sale Pitcher and Vase... for the bathroom?

This past Saturday I found two sweet little vases.  Well one is a pitcher but they both will be nice with some kind of flowers in them.  I thought the white would work on a shelf in my newly painted bathroom but then when I saw the blue one... it just looked better.
Each of these cost me all of a dollar.  So I splurged and bought some silk daisy's from Michaels.

 The paint color I bought for the walls  said "Billowy Down" so why is it looking blue? Must be the light and the camera because when I'm in the bathroom it looks white?
I'm not sure what to put on the opposite wall.... will have to venture through Home Goods next week.  Maybe 4 prints to go over the tub?  Floral or something?
You may notice the hand towel hanging on the hook under the shelf.. it's one of my moms.  She has been gone almost 17 years now and this old ratty towel hangs in my bathroom no matter where I am... brings me joy just to see it. 

 

Oh I hate the color of the tub!  Really!

My plan, in a few weeks,  I will get the paint and finish tub and tile in white.  I want that  "Old French Farmhouse" look in this bathroom and It will happen eventually. But for now it looks so empty.

The counter top is making me so happy now that it's not the ugly yellow laminate.  My plan to add another sink to this rather large vanity was put on hold since the budget is laughing at me.... so it will only get a new fancy faucet.  I've been doing research on how to install the new faucet.  Wish me luck with this!

(now this photo, the walls look green?  take my word for it, their white)

Rain is on the way.  Our rainy season is coming early.  That means storms each afternoon for the next few months.  I just love our loud stormy afternoons.  My garden loves it too!

BTW... 

Leave it to Pinterest to make ya feel dumb...Peeling An Orange, Like A Boss. Cut or pull the top and bottom circles from the orange/tangerine. Then slit between two sections and roll it out. MIND BLOWN.

Have a wonderful week everyone because 

I sure am. 

I'm linking up to

Share your Cup 

Another busy day working on the upstairs bath and my Hoya is blooming....

Today was another one of those busy days for me.  I went back to working on my upstairs bathroom  but first I needed to go out and water most of my potted plants. Our heat is back and in just one day they all dry out.  I noticed on the upstairs balcony the Hoya was blooming.  They are the sweetest flower clusters and mine are pink although they do come in white and lavender.  The plant has very long trailing vines and the flower has a waxie feel about them.  I think they feel and look like china.  I don't get an aroma but some say this flower does have one?

Then it was into my painting clothes and up to the bathroom I went to finish plastering areas where I took out the 1970's china TP, soap and tooth brush holders.  They match the tub and tile, a really deep cream color from the era.  Once I finish with the walls I'm going to attempt to paint the tub (that is for another post) and install a new white toilet.  
  After pulling out the holders  I used a scrap of drywall and plaster to repair the holes.

  Then I installed the new wood medicine cabinet.  Looks so much better than the old rusty outdated 1970's cabinet that was there.  I was surprised how easy it was to remove the old and install the new one.. just a matter of 4 screws then plastering the torn and broken spots in the dry wall that I created when moving out the old.

The walls are being  painted a  fresh coat of Behr,  
"Billowy Down" paint.
See what I mean about the ugly tub and tile.  I priced new but the budget just laughed at me.  Strange but my shower stall is tiled in a white color?

I'll tell you now that I've painted the kitchen counter I have so much more faith in all the new paints out there that are budget friendly.  It's been three years now since doing the kitchen counter top and it's holding up wonderfully.  I did the counter in this bath just three days ago and paid all of $19.99 for a quart and I still have about half  the can left.
From the old 1970's yellow laminate to a very soft "Ash" (gray) color and it really looks nice with the white walls and vanity.  I noticed the tub, tile and toilet are cream. Sink and shower tile is white. Wonder who put this room together because it's all original to the house?

This beauty below will be installed into the sink.  Now this excites me to have a new faucet.  

A tall faucet!

 I spent about 4 hours patching and painting and now I'm tired.  Time to sit still for the evening and continue on with my latest project, a cross stitch bib for my grandbaby Henry.  He is just 6 weeks  so this one will work in a few months.  I have plenty of time to finish.

 Feels good to sit!  Tomorrow is Sunday and it's my day of rest. Well maybe?

"Have a good weekend everyone"

I'm linking up to
Sunny Simple Sunday 
Sew Darn Crafty 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
Tuesdays To Do List