A Beautiful Day to Plant "Caladiums"

Today was such a beautiful day here in my area. The sun was out and the temp went up to 86',  so I spent the day doing a bit of gardening.  Although I live in West Central Florida we do get winter and our temps get low enough to put the plants to sleep.  We also have not had much rain so the grass browns, if not watered each week. 
Ok, so it may never happen but this is what I want my back yard to look like.  I have the space and I have the area started with brick surrounding each flower bed but I don't have the proper soil.... 

 I want my yard to look like this!

 
My soil is Florida sand mixed into clay and it's really horrible! Each spring since moving into this house I've bought dozens of bags with rich top soil and incorporated it into the beds.  A few bags of manure along with pete and anything else my local master gardener has told me to add.  I even took a sample of my soil to her and she told me that all I need is to add a bit more acid.... so I did that.. but my flowers do not grow as lush as they should.  It's a bit depressing to say the least.
I  put new grass seed this morning, in all the bare spots of the lawn. 
Today I'm dreaming of a lush garden full of color.

 Look at the colors of these beautiful Caladiums.

I bought  a large number of Caladium bulbs today and planted them in groups of color all around my back yard.

The photos are taken from the net, so I could look at them and dream about how nice my garden will be in the Spring.

This one is Cherry Caladium

I did notice my Day Lillies are starting to reach to the sky and the trees have new buds on them. Most of the perennials are showing green buds. That means Spring is not far away.

My thoughts are to create a space that looks like this lush garden. This year I'm going to have it... or at least something like it. 
Lets look at it one more time.

This is my sad wintery yard today. Everything is dry and sleeping and it's a bit depressing but  like most  gardeners around the country, I am patiently waiting for Spring!

Hurry Spring! 

I need you!

     

Found Junk Pile Floor Lamp

My first real attempt at recovering a lamp shade with sheer fabric turned out pretty well.  I wanted the light to be bright so I pulled out a scrap sheer fabric left over from the drapes I made months ago.

This old floor lamp was laying on the side of the road in a trash heap.  At first I was going to leave it there but then I felt it was crying out to me to take it home. Was pitiful really because I have trouble leaving such a treasure.

 It's lamp shade was made of a fau sorta leather/plastic and very yellow with age. 

The first thing I had to do was paint the lamp stand that was in good working order. I can move the top portion to bring the light back and forth with the hinge.    It was rusting in spots so I gave it a quick cleaning then used that wonderful invention, 
"Spray Paint"

 I know this pitiful lamp was sending out my praises to the "Big lamp in the sky"

The next step was to re cover the shade. 

Was easy as cutting off the existing yellowish fabric/leather/plastic stuff! 

I  measured the sheer fabric to size then hand stitched it to the wire frame.

 Afraid using glue would leave residue and show through the sheer fabric, hand stitching was the only way.

Then I added a bit of decoration to the shade

The lamp sits next to my sewing table and really lets the light shine through.  
My eyes say Thank You!

Another piece of trash kept out of the landfills.
This is indeed a good thing.

I'm linking up to
Show off Your Stuff

Under $100.00 

February 3rd, Wear your Red for The Number One KILLER of Women, Heart Disease

February is traditionally the month we all celebrate Valentines Day but we also are celebrating "Our Hearts".

 February 3rd is the day we all get together and kick up our heels to get the word out about the 

Number One KILLER of Women! 

"Heart Disease"

 Are you part of a group that goes red — and beyond? Is your cubicle a sea of red? Do you even plaster your pooch in red?

 I'm Sandy and the "Wonders of Doing" is my blog.  I speak from experience.  

For weeks I walked around saying to myself "Something is not right"?  I woke in the night thinking I had saran wrap in my lungs and could not get a full breath? I was only 54 yrs old and refused to get my heart health screenings... then one night the EMS took me away. 

"Heart Failure and you have 3 months to live"!!

That was 6 years ago and now I'm doing great with my third Pacemaker/Defib implanted in my chest.  My heart is happy with it's new friend that kicks in when ever it gets tired of working on it's own.

Scarey, yes!  But it's so nice to be alive!

I am offering one simple thing for you to remember 

"GET A SECOND OPINION"

My first Cardiologist sent me home with 3 months to live!!  Then the second doctor, from the "Heart And Vascular Institute of Florida" helped me and now he is saying,

"I'm his Miracle Child"

((Dr. Walsh, YOU ARE MY HERO))

5 Simple Heart-Healthy Energy Boosters

1. Move more. In the short term, increasing physical activity to increase energy seems counterintuitive. In the long term, it works. You don’t have to be a marathoner to see benefits. Just start where you are and do more. If you don’t exercise, walk around the block and gradually work up from there.  Your goal should be to get 30 minutes of brisk activity on five days a week for a total of at least 150 minutes per week. You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once. Three 10-minutes hikes in a day works too. If you try to do too much too fast, you might get hurt, so start slowly and stick with it. Get more tips on getting healthier through physical activity.
2. Eat smart. Eat fresh fruit and veggies; the calcium and potassium they contain is good for energy. If you need a quick snack during the day, keep a serving or two of your favorite fruit or vegetable handy wherever you are.  Avoid big meals; heavy, fatty foods can leave you feeling groggy. Eating smaller and more frequent meals will help balance out your energy and blood sugar levels over the course of the day.  Whole grain fiber-rich foods are a great filler-upper.  Fiber causes food to stay in your stomach longer, so you feel full longer than with quick fixes like coffee, high-calorie energy bars and candy — which rely on caffeine and sugar — and can lead to energy spikes and crashes.) Drink lots of water, too. Dehydration reduces energy levels. Read our 5 Goals to Eating Healthy.
3. Sleep. How much is enough? Each person is different. Most adults need around seven hours, but you may need more. You need quality sleep, too. If you have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you wake up many times during the night, you won’t get the quality sleep you need and may feel sleepy all day. Heavy snoring is a major sign of sleep apnea. If your spouse or partner says you snore or that you periodically stop breathing for brief periods during sleep, tell your doctor. Sleep apnea can put you at risk for stroke.
4. Lose a few. Carrying around extra pounds saps energy. It creates extra work for your heart and can raise blood pressure, too. Increasing your physical activity and eating a healthier diet to burn more calories than you take in is the way to go. Steer clear of fad diets; they don’t work. Learn our 5 Goals to Losing Weight.
5. Lighten up. Stress is an inevitable part of life. That’s why learning to manage it is important. Successfully managing stress means keeping a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle, which helps fight energy-sapping depression. To take care of yourself, try taking physical activity breaks, meditating, taking time off and doing things you like. Avoid unhealthy ways to manage stress, include smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, overeating and relying on stimulants. Avoid these. Learn to fight stress by developing these healthy habits.

Most people who want more energy can get it. Following the steps above is a good start. You’ll feel more energetic, and feel better overall. You’ll also reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. 

 "Wear Red Day"

February 3rd

The number one Killer of Women is Heart Disease. 

"Celebrate Our Heart Ladies"
Roll Out Your Red!

(((Huggs)))

I'm linking up this post, because women need to know

Wow Us Wednesday

Create and Share 

Alphabet Thursday

Potpourri Friday 

Just Had To Share Some Winter Photos . . .

Before

Looking for the mailboxes.

After

"We found them!"

My son lives in Juneau, Alaska and wanted to share a few photos with me.  His friends two young boys were out after a few days of heavy snow and dug out the mailboxes.  The photos were taken just up the road from my sons home.

 These two young guys did a days work, don't you think?

I think of the days in Illinois when I used to shovel snow and it makes me so happy to remember why I moved to Florida.

How kind is winter being to you?

Stay warm and safe.

((huggs))

Thrift Store and Dumpster Diving....

I found the sweetest little ceramic bud vase, for $2.00,  in our local thrift store this week.

It's really 5 small vases rolled into one.

 

 I could only find one little rose bud out in the yard but it will be full' once spring comes and all the pernnials are blooming. 

It is Florida after all and the garden shops are full of annuals here. For some odd reason I can't seem to buy them.  I still have the Illinois frame of mind and can't   get into no change in seasons. So I create my own.

My mind says, "It's winter"!

  Yesterday it was in the high  80's and today overcast, rainy and in the 70's. Maybe I'll go buy a bouquet of flowers and put a few in my little bud vase.

It's the perfect size for my kitchen window sill.

 

While driving yesterday with my sister, I put on the brakes, to the dismay of the guy behind me, when I spotted this wonderful large basket sitting on the side of the road. My poor sister is not used to taking trash from ones garbage pile and when I asked her to get out and take the basket, you had to see her face.  "Me"!! "It's full of trash"!!

"Dump it" I said, "toss it in the back of the car".

We both were laughing so hard!

How could I possibly leave this treasure there?

I took the basket home and now my mind is full of ideas for it.  Not sure if I'll paint it because the color blue is really nice?

   I  washed it well and let it dry out in the sun.

I'll do a bit of thinking and will find the perfect place for this beautiful, heavy basket. In the mean time it will just sit in the dining room.

Tomorrow is garage sale day and I'll be out there looking for more goodies.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

 

Bringing Home "Miss Daisy"

This past few months my Sweet Senior Cat, Rikki has been showing signs of slowing down and her 17 years are starting to  take it's toll.  She needed some stimulation and I thought a new baby kitty might just do the trick.

I was so right!

This past week I rescued a 7 month old little girl  from the shelter.

When I first came in the kitchen with "Daisy" she did what most new kitty's do, investigate the entire area with out showing any fear.  She just walked  from room to room as though she knew where she was.  Then when she found the door to the cat box ( I keep the box in the heater room and the door is always ajar), out came Rikki.  It's been quite some time since Rikki has seen  a kitty and her first reaction was to hiss at the little one, but I'm so happy to say Daisy simply by passed Rikki and went right to the box.

Rikki's habits have changed since bringing Daisy home.  A lot!

She always spent her lazy days on the foot of my bed just looking out the balcony door but this past few days she has taken over my new sewing chair while  watching Daisy as she moves from room to room.

She also has taken residence in the storage room below my staircase and I find myself going in there and taking Rikki out about 4 times a day.  Rikki is stubborn to say the least!

 I'm sure she is thinking "The little brat will not find me here"!

This is where I drag her each time I take her out of the store room. Rikky can keep an eye on her new baby sister.

After only 5 days in her new home, Daisy is very happy and comfortable with us and this makes me smile.

j

This past two days Daisy has found the perfect vantage point  to watch all that go's on both up and down stairs.

When Rikki wants to come down, it's funny to watch her tip toe around her little sister.

A new problem has come up, Daisy found the bird cage and "Jack and Molly" are not too happy when she hops up on the table next to them.

That is another story. One I hope will solve it's self.

Have a great weekend!

For the Cat Lover..

My daughter, #1, is a Cat lover and she has quite a few items in her home telling just that.  
While at the quilt store recently I spotted the cutest fabric.

What could be more fun than a movie theater full of Cats tossing their pop corn and enjoying a movie!  My first thought was, "How cute this would be in a toss pillow"

Cyndi will love it!

Before making the pillow I did a bit of hand quilting, stitches over batting, around each kitty,  to give it a bit more poof.

I'll get it in the mail to Cyn sometime this week.

I know she loves surprise boxes and this pillow will be right up her alley.

(no pun intended) 

* * * * *

I'm linking up to

It's Overflowing with Creativity

Potpourri Friday 

Freckled Laundry 

Saturday Night Special 

A Mom Needs to Brag and Congratulate her Son...

                                                         March 1992

20 years ago I remember putting my Son on a flight to Juneau, Alaska.

He was 19 and a new graduate from the United States Coast Guard Boot Camp.

Although I knew it was the best decision he could make, I had no idea

he was in for the duration.

I remember standing at the airport crying like a baby as I watched the airplane carry him away from me. It was bitter sweet to say the least.

But as a mom, I'll always remember Tom as a sweet 9yr old full of questions  with a never ending love for life and adventure.

Today Tom is an Officer. They call him 

"Lieutenant Tom Pauser"

He works for Homeland Security and inspects the incoming ships that carry goods from  foreign lands as they come into the ports of America.

During his  early years with the Coast Guard he was one of the guys who jumped out of the Choppers to rescue people from the water and  ice packed mountains of the Alaskan wilderness.

He was so good at his job, the Coast Guard gave him the cover shot of their magazine.

It said, "If your in need of saving, this is the man to call"

 

 

Later in his career he chose to attend OCS and did a second stint in boot camp to become an officer.  The graduating class took the "USCG Eagle" from it's home port in Connecticut, to Spain.  Here he is climbing one of the masts during his final exercise.  I remember his telling me "That sailing, was a thrill of a lifetime".

USCG Baroque Eagle

 

 

Here is Tom  sitting at his desk,  in the Command Center. As a mom I can see in his eyes that he is happy with his decision to make the Coat Guard his career.

Although Tom can retire now at the age of 39 he chose to sign up for another 5 years. He, along with his wife and daughter,  now live in the icy, snowy, windy city of Juneau, Alaska.  They could not be happier!

He told me "Mom if I retire now, what will I do with my life"

My heart is filled with pride and joy for my boy and I would like to say,

Congratulations to you Tom for a job well done!

"Bravo Zulu"

x0x0x

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