Remembering Mom

I wanted to celebrate Mothers Day simply by sharing my Moms photos and telling a bit of her story.


For some odd reason my Mom chose (if we indeed have a choice?)  Mothers Day 1998 to leave this world. Guess she did not want us to forget the date. 

Here she is at the age of 16

Mom was crafty already, doing her crochet as she sat in the park. 

Get a load of those shoes!

Mom and I took my then 13 month old daughter to Lincolns Tomb in Springfield, Illinois.  Mom thought is was such fun for Cyndi to scream inside the tomb and hear her voice echo from wall to wall.

Mom grew up known by her family as Peggy.  Here she was at 17.

The night before she died she was not feeling well and told me my eggplant dinner upset her stomach... she said, it just had to pass from her system and went to bed.  In the morning she said it again and told me "I'm fine, go to work, I'll just stay in for the day. See you later".  Well when I got home, flowers in hand for Mothers Day,  she was tucked under her covers peacefully  sleeping.  Her morning coffee cup on her night stand, half full.   Until I went closer and noticed she had passed sometime after 10am, the time I called to check on her.

Age 15

The family gathered to say good by to Mom at the cemetery, and while I,  my sister and our two daughters were walking in the gardens near the fountain erected for cremation ashes, my daughter said "Come see this, it's an Eggplant"... well we all went to see and there it was, floating in the water.  My daughter took the photo as proof.  Who would believe this?

"Who would bring a real, fresh Eggplant and put it in the fountain"?

My sister and I were stunned!

  Knowing  her grandma  told me how my eggplant made her sick,  my daughter was sure  my Mom put it there to let us all know "She was ok".  Inside my heart,  I thought "Mom put it there saying Your Eggplant killed me".  
It is just like my mom to do something like that, she had a great sense of humor.

"Happy Mothers Day Mom"

"I sure miss you"

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coconut crab repost

 I posted the story of a "Coconut Crab" when my daughter walked out of her house in Guam one night to put the days trash in the garbage can.  
I'm talking about it again because over the past year I have gotten many comments about this story and some are just not believers that this really ugly looking crab exists... others are just amazed at it's size.

At the time when Gina told me of this crab, I just listened to her tell  how one  scared her.  Knowing my daughter as I do.. I  pretty much 'blew it off as no big deal'...( so she saw a crab, how bad could that be?)

My youngest child is now 27 with three little boys of her own, and since being a toddler she has always been afraid of bugs, especially spiders and was one of those kids who would 'squeel very loud and run from everything'. Gina still did the same "squeel" in high school when scared of anything and I would always laugh as she ran from what ever "It" was!
Well while we were on the  phone  she told me of the "Coconut Crabs"  "how large they are".   I've seen many different types of "Crabs" and again did not think too much about the crab story.. Until she sent me a photo of one......

 google image

"This is no ordinary crab".

Gina said, "When she first saw this, she saw the birth of her children flash before her eyes"

All I could do was "Gasp" for air!  She said, "she took out the trash, all she did was open the lid to put the bag in and she heard a  Shhhiiisssshhhh-ing  sound".   Like something was telling her to go away!    She backed up and ran inside, turned on the outside light and there was this 'Thing" walking toward  her!"  (They are not afraid of humans and will come after you)
She "Screamed" and ran back inside to  get her husband, who laughed at her, as usual.  Like I said, "Gina screams at all bugs".......

"Honey, this is "NO BUG"

I've posted a map of the areas where you can find "Coconut Crabs"  they are so ugly but then they say "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"

"Coconut Crabs" are known to come out 'when it rains" and scrounge for food, but their favorite food is "coconuts" and you will find them climbing the Palm trees and knocking down the coconuts for a meal.

 The entire blue area  is where the "Crabs" can be found. "Guam" is above and to the right side of  Australia.

From what Gina tells me, the local people eat these crabs. Since the crabs eat coconuts they have a mild coconut flavor... They cook the meat in coconut milk and toss it over veggies....

Gina said, "She has been offered a meal made from the "Crabs" but just can't bring herself to eat them.

I have this "silly grin" on my face when I think of "Gina" running from these "Bugs"

It takes me back to when she was little.

"Oh the memories we keep of our children"

This is just one of  many for my "Mothers Day"

For all of you who are interested in knowing more, just google 
"Coconut Crab"  

I'm joining Jenny Matlocks 
Alphabet Thursday 

"C is for Crab"

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Cinco de Mayo

 Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday held on May 5. It is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla. The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico, which is celebrated September 16.

Living in San Antonio, TX for several years I learned the importance of the Mexican Heritage Celebration and they do party!

 "Happy Cinco de Mayo"

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Happy B/Day Rikki

My sweet Rikki turned 16 years old last week.

She was rescued from the Broward County Humane Society as a birthday gift to my daughter Gina... well, Rikki has traveled around a bit in her 16 years.. has lived with each of our girls on and off as they both went on their way in life... but now, Rikki has been with me for the past 8 years and is as happy as she can be.
I've read, the markings on this white cat tells me she is "Turkish Van" and although she was a rescue at 8 weeks she seems to be a pure bread. 
When we brought her home she showed symptoms of "I hate it when you pick me up"... the vet showed us hundreds of ear mites and the damage  gave her vertigo.. well to this day, "She will not let anyone raise her any higher than your knees".  Rikki does not climb on the furniture or kitchen counters.. She hates heights,  however she will climb into bed with me and is very vocal about what she wants.

The above photo is her begging.  She winds in and out under the kitchen table and chairs screaming at me... she knows what she wants!

Time for a treat.

 

 Ok Mom.... stop chasing me around the house with your camera.

"Happy Birthday Rikki"

wishing you another 16 years

We will be joining Debbiedoos

Pet Parade

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Laundry Room Shelving

J

After living with one wire shelf in my laundry space, for the past 7 years,  I finally put in some new wood shelves.
My laundry room/closet holds nothing more than the washer and dryer. Leaving me nothing  to update or decorate.  But having new shelves sure made a huge difference. Notice the magazine cut out on the wall (inspiration).   I really wanted the newer front loading washer and dryer but now that we don't have kids or family home we really don't need the extra sized washers.  I'll just keep my old washer and dryer till they choke and die.

When it was time to start this project I totally forgot to get a before photo.. with the wire shelf.. But after I pulled 'it' down, well, you get the picture.  I even had to move the black box you see on the wall above the washer.. why the guy who put in our "Water  Reverse Osmosis System" (it filters the water throughout the entire house)  thought to hang it right out in the middle of no where is beyond me?  So I moved it to the side and below the washer... there, Hidden!

I bought the wood, primed and painted then gave the walls a fresh coat of paint I had left over from the staircase walls.  Crystal Ice was the color.. white with a hint of blue.

Look how clean!  The extra space for storage really made me smile.

I love baskets for storage and am using one I found last week in a yard sale.  It's  really heavy and good size... I pulled the plastic lining and cleaned it up... then put the soap bottles in it, on the new shelves.

I was so happy with the change that I totally went "All Out" and tossed the plastic dirty clothes basket.....

And, replaced it with this basket beauty.... 

Might have lost my mind but I actually paid retail for it.

It's the simple things in life that make us happiest and redoing the laundry room was indeed one of these things.

I had to put up the dry erase board with the childish scribble of my then 5 year old grandson.  He wrote "I  heart grandma" I've saved this for the past three years now.


When I'm loading the washer I can look up at a photo of my three children from times past.  
Don't laugh but I put a "tip jar" dish. You know for all that loose change everyone leaves you from their pockets.  The shelves are also lined to keep them from scratches and stains.

Only one thing missing.. a rod, to hang the few pieces that do not go into the dryer.. Maybe a spring rod?  That will be for another day.

I wonder how long I can keep it this neat?
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Join me at these linky parties


Metamorphosis Monday

Just Something I Whipped Up 

I Made the World Cuter Today 

White Wednesday 

The Power of Paint 


 

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Iguana

Looking out from my daughter Cyndi's patio door, in Palm Beach,  is a large lake and it houses a variety of critters.  She has seen Iguana's before but nothing quite this big.  
She said she ran to get her camera and got the shot before he/she crept back under the water.... 

And How was your "May Day" Sunday?

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Well today this big guy came walking outside her door.

Gardenias for May Day

Every May 1st, as I was growing up my Mom would give flowers to those she cared about, for "May Day" 
She called it a "May Basket" and would slip the handle of the basket filled with Spring flowers on the door knob of their house or room.

Since I can't hang a basket of Spring flowers on your door knobs,  I thought of sharing my Gardenias with all of you.

 The Gardenia bush has started to fade... literally a hundred blooms came and went in about 6 days.  Today I brought in as many as I could save into the house.

 This is one flowering bush I wish would bloom all summer long.  But as we all know Mother Nature has chosen only a short time during the Spring to display these wonderful flowers.

I have the vase of these beautiful flowers standing on my desk and the fragrance is overwhelming at first, but such a 
lovely smell.

"Happy May"

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.I'll be linking to 

Oregon Cottage @Tuesdays Garden Party

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Coopers Bayou Park

 "Great Blue Heron"

There is a park within walking distance from my home,  in a quaint little town.  "The Coopers Bayou Park" is so beautiful and very well maintained by the town.

 The wildlife is very aware of  humans all around the park and are weary, but not afraid to let you get close

I crept very slowly to get closer and closer to a gator, but just as I took the shot his eyes went under.  I stayed for a few moments hoping he would come back up but no luck.  He was however under there watching me.

 This bird makes me laugh.  He is what most of us call a "snake bird".  He swims under water and can stay down for several minutes while he fishes on the bottom.  If you think your following him, he will reappear quite a distance from where your eyes last saw him.
The snake bird name comes from the very long neck that appears  while he gets a new gulp of air and go's back under.
Here he is in the photo drying his wet wings in the sun.

I have been coming to this park several times a week to walk.  It's so beautiful.  I feel safe here as there are literally dozens of people at any given time running, walking, riding their bikes  or using the exercise equipment put around every corner.  There are even  misting machines. You just have to push the button and cool water is sprayed on you.

This past week our weather was just beautiful.  

The temp was in the 90's, humid,  with big puffy clouds in the sky.

 I'm linking this post to


Outdoor Wednesday

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I love this store

This past week  I went to my favorite store.  I'm lucky it's not close to me because I'd be there all the time.  I first learned of this southern chain when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale. They have anything you might want for the home...china, silk floral, garden supplies, rugs, sheets, towels and of course Pottery.

The place is huge and I call it, for a first time shopper, a 4 hour store.  

The silk flower dept is endless and if you can't find it here then you will not find it at any other store.....
As funny as it may be the only thing I left with was some cereal bowls and a wind chime.. I mean how much of this stuff can one buy?  It's a good 35 minute ride from me so I go maybe once every 3 months just to see what is new.
If your ever in the Georgia or Florida area be sure to put this store on your list of must see... bring a trailer with you because you will want everything.  The prices are just wonderful.  Water glasses for a quarter, dinner plates $1.99. The list is endless.

My wind chime is a good size and has a nice tone.... $9.99

Old Time needs to pay me for this advertisement :)  but they did not.. I just wanted to share the store with all who have never been to one...

"Happy Shopping"

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