Sad News....

SAD NEWS - Please join me in remembering YET ANOTHER great icon of the entertainment community. 

The Pillsbury Dough Boy died yesterday of a yeast infection and traumatic complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 71. 

Dough Boy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children, John Dough, Jane Dough, and Dill Dough, plus they had one in the Oven. 

Services were held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes

Due to the sadness of this, the only comment I can make is,

‎

"The one in the oven was probably " poppin fresh".

*********************

I'm off for a morning of 'Garage Salin' and will post my finds in a few days!!

 Have a great weekend all!

.

.

.

Gina With Love: Sesame Noodles with Tofu & Veggies

Gina With Love 

 I'd like to share a recipe my daughter put up as her "First" blog post.

Gina has been wanting a blog for quite some time but homeschooling three small boys has kept her pretty busy.

I'd like to invite everyone to check  Gina's blog.

She will be posting on a variety of topics, Family, Home, Food and Homeschooling.

I'd like to Congratulate "Gina" and to let her know how proud I am of her and what a wonderful woman she has become.

She could also use a few Followers to get started!

(((huggss)))

'Just click the link below'

Gina With Love 

.

.

.

Lightening does not strike twice??

Who ever said "Lightening does not strike twice" 

is fooling everyone.
We had "Quite" a storm this morning

And another Lightening strike! 

Out back somewhere! 

Not sure what was hit but it was LOUD!   After last weeks strike I found myself wanting to hide under the bed.... 
Our power went out  and this time it stayed out for hours, until the power company came out to restore it!  
Although it was 9 in the morning, inside our home was as dark as midnight and I sat on the sofa, while a violent thunderstorm loomed over us, knitting to candle light.  Me and Rikki (my 16yr old cat) sat together trembling.
I'll need to go back and find mistakes in my stitches, for sure!

 It has been raining for the past three days and everything is soaked.  The creek out back is flowing into my yard and so many trees are loosing branches with the gusts of wind.

All my plants are drowning!

The little Gnome is dealing with the weather very well.

Rainy season has been hard on us  in the Tampa Bay area.  This morning everyone was soaked during rush hour trying to get to work.  

But I was lucky.  I had no where to go!

Each summer I come to expect the rain but after a few weeks of it, it starts to get old and all of us here can't wait for the Fall, when it ends. What I would like to do with all this rain is huff and puff and send it West to Texas and the states in need of rain!

Come on Winter!

Well, just for us here in the tropics.  

I'm not wishing it for you all up North.

Oh how I remember Central, Illinois in the winter!  

That is why I'm here in Florida.

Ok,, I'll stop complaining!

Enjoy what is left of Summer everyone!

School starts August 22nd in my area and I'm sure there's  a lot of grumbling going on.
Boy did we have "Quite a Storm"

(((huggs)))

I'm joining Jennys"Q"
Alphabet Thursday

.
.
.

Next Years Seeds

My  Purple Cone Flowers have had to contend with all the rain we have been getting each day and they did not grow to the heights of past years.  I thought it was time to harvest a few seeds for next year. 

Before they wilt away and drown!

I cut a few of the older blooms and let them dry for about two weeks.

Then I gently tore the flowers apart to reveal the seeds.

Once separated I put them into a standard envelope for storing, to prevent moisture from forming.   Over the next few weeks I'll collect more seeds,  then plant them in the ground in the Fall. This way they will start sprouting in the early Spring.  That would be about February in my zone 9-10

There will be quite a few envelopes saved with  the many different flowers that grow in my yard.  I'm also sure there will be seeds sprouting, that fall from the plants... 

"Mother Nature"  will   re-seed on her own.

 It's hot and steamy out and I'm getting ready for the fall.  

I noticed all the Halloween items going up in many stores.

Slow down time!

I just can't believe it's the middle of August already.  Just think, the children in my area will be starting school on the 22nd of this month.  Where did the Summer go?

I for one can say "I've had a great Summer"

I hope you can say the same!

I'll be joining

Tuesdays To Do Party 

It's Bloomin' Tuesday 

Tuesday Garden Party 

Fertilizer Friday 

.
.
.

10th Wedding Anniversary

I wanted to send out a big "Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary"

to my daughter and her husband.

For the past two years they both have been stuck on the Island of Guam while he serves  in the USCG.  

It took a lot of planning but they finally got back to the states for a bit of R&R.

Their three small boys stayed with Grandma and they flew off to Vegas for 14 days and got a well needed vacation.

While there they renewed their wedding vows and had a few photos taken.

Their back in Guam now settled in for one more year until they can come state side again. 

For now he will command the base and she will get back to homeschooling their boys.

But both are refreshed and ready to get back to their life as it is.  

"Happy Anniversary" to them both.

x0x0x

.

.

.

.

Blooming Aloe and TS Emily

Yesterday I took a walk around my hot steaming back yard and noticed the Aloe Plant was blooming.

The photo below is from my upstairs balcony. This is the vantage point for me to see what is going on out there.

I'll have to admit the "Rainy Season" makes everything so green and lush but it's so humid.. really... you have to feel the wet in the air to appreciate it.  I find myself not going out during the day.  It's indoors, in the a/c for most of us here.  I remember when I was a kid my Father took us to our house in NY or  we went to my grandmothers in Cape May, for the summers. Since moving back here as an adult,  I totally understand.

The Aloe plant is so happy.

For the next few days Florida is on "Tropical Storm Watch".. Looks like our first storm, "Emily" will be skirting the East Coast. 
My daughter Cyndi lives in West Palm Beach and they more than likely will get a bit of wind and rain....

"Hurricane Season has officially begun"

Stay cool everyone and if Emily rears her ugly 

head, be safe. 

I'll be joining "A Southern Daydreamer" for
Outdoor Wednesday

"Tootsie Time"
Outdoor Wednesday 

 

.

.

.

Increase your buying power

.




For about a year now I've been using "Swagbucks" as my default Search Engine. At first I did not believe this site could do as it promised and it was a spam site but now that I use this search engine exclusively I have generated enough SB's (as they call the points you can earn) to purchase so many different items on Amazon's shopping site.  Keep in mind your not limited to qualify just for Amazon Gift Cards... they have so many other items and gift cards to other stores and shops.. I just choose Amazon because of the large amount of items their site offers.  I'm collecting enough points to buy a new Cappuccino Machine. ( I used my old one so much it died on me)


Once I understood how the Swagbucks search engine works, I downloaded their tool bar and use it all the time. This past May,  I bought birthday gifts for my grandsons with my Amazon Gift Cards. I had enough credit to cover the cost of the gifts I chose, along with tax and shipping charges. The gifts did not cost me one dime.   In the past two months I generated enough points just by searching and was able to buy $75.00 worth of Amazon Gift Cards.

There are so many ways besides "Searching" to get more points when using this site... If you go into the "Swagbucks Facebook Page" they give clues to earn more points. You can take surveys to increase your points and I've become the survey queen (as my daughter calls me). When I find myself with a bit of time I sit at my computer and take a survey from "Swagbucks" Home Page and gain another 50 to 200 SB's. It's kinda fun also.
If you would like to find another way to increase your buying power take a look into the 'Swagbucks" site.. or visit them on Facebook. You can chat with all the members who also belong to the FB page. They will answer any questions you might have.

Click on the "Swiget" at the top of my post. Check it out, sign up and start collecting your points for gift cards and prizes. 

The best part is "It's absolutely free".  

And no, I'm not being paid to advertise "Swagbucks".. I just know how hard times are and buying new items can be a stretch of the budget... when you join and search on Swagbucks you can save for items you would not otherwise be able to buy.  I love this site!

.
.
.

Christmas in July

Now that all the family summer visitors have come and gone.

Once the house was cleaned and put back together I found myself with not a lot to do.

My sister is on the mend so my mind is in good spirits.

Time to think of working on a few Christmas gifts.

My first project is for my Sons little family dog "Cork".  Their living In Juneau and the weather really gets cold so what better gift than a warm sweater for his medium size "Chihuahua".

I need a model to see how well it will fit! Might have to borrow my neighbors little "Bichon" They both seem to be almost the same size?

Well, my plan of using little  "Tommy" (the Bichon) as a model did not work, he would have no part of trying on this little sweater.  Guess I have to take my chances and just hope it fits "Cork"

 Right now I have three knitting projects in the works.  Hats and Scarves for my grand daughter.  This will be her first winter in Juneau although she was raised in the UP of Michigan.  Cold and snow is all she knows.  Everyone could use a new hat and scarf.  I think a 13 year old girl would love one with sequins sparkling all around!

Right now knitting is the perfect project for this tired woman.  It's been hot and storming each day for the past week.  The a/c has the house nice and chilly.  Back to my chair to continue. I'll post the results of the "Dog Sweater"  if I can find a model who will cooperate!  Besides, Knitting is my favorite craft and everyone beware because you might get a knitted Christmas gift this year.

"Enjoy your weekend everyone"

.

.

.

Sister update

Update on my Sister

I wanted to say Thank You to all who sent prayers and good thoughts on my sisters by-pass surgery.
I'm happy to say "she is doing wonderful" and will be going home tomorrow after only 3 days in the hospital. She will need to take it easy for a few weeks but they told her to not go to bed.. amazing!
I've been getting reports from her children and should be talking to her myself on FaceTime in about an hour...
She may be sore but they all say her spirit is high and she is making her usual jokes about everything....

 It's a good day in the neighborhood!

 Thank you again and have a wonderful weekend!

For My Sister

 

We all have so many people that come and go in our lives.  Some are here forever.

My sister Dolly has been with me since birth.  We were so close through our early and teen years.  You know the one who you told your secrets to. The one who took your boyfriends and then gave you hers... Then when we both were in our late teens we were seperated by countries.  8000 miles did no harm to our love and respect for each other. We continued to see each other once or twice a year. Shared the birth of our children. Cried over the phone when we were sad.  She has remained the one person I could always count on.

Dolly has been my Best Friend through out my life.

Today Dolly went in the hospital to prep for double by-pass surgery on Friday.  My heart is in  limbo until the surgery is over, and my mind will be blurry until  her kids call me to say, "It's over and she is doing great".... How I wish I could be there with her but my health will not allow me to travel such a distance.

Of all the photos I have of me and my sister this one represents how nutty we are when we get together.  We both had very small children, staying in a hotel (some where?).  I remember she was all excited because Johnny Cash was staying in the room next to ours.  Dolly wanted to take something from the breakfast tray outside his door.. how we laughed in that quiet hall way!   We have many fun stories and I so want them to continue when she gets here this Christmas for our annual visit and romp!   I spoke to her on Face Time today, several times.   She paned around her hospital room for me to see all the electrical equipment her kids set up for her  to watch tv shows.... lap top etc.   Introduced her nurse to me.  Her nurse looked startled when she was told I was in America.   This is Dolly's  first hospital stay and she was so not understanding the 'open back in the gowns?'  haha... (she gave birth to  4 kids at home)  I told her to put on another gown with the opening in front.. "duhhh" she said!   

That's my sister!

A sister’s love is special
in oh so many ways
Now miles stretch between us
and minutes turn to days.

We’ve shared so much as children
the tears, the joys, the pain
A lifetime spent together
those memories remain.

In times gone by we’ve pondered
the paths our lives have taken
Knowing that in spite of this
our sister love unshaken.

A sister’s love is special
in ways that are unspoken
Still that binding force exists
our sister love unbroken. 

I want to send out,  into the Heavens and ask the Lord to take very special care of my Sister Dolly.

I love you more than words can say. 

x0x0x

.

.

.

Sheer moment of Terror

The FRIED TV

Last night I had a moment of sheer Terror!

While we  were in the middle of our usual daily, rainy season thunder storm,
I was sitting on my bed, working on my laptop, minding my own business when I looked up and saw a bolt of lightening hit the tree about 5' from my upstairs balcony sliding doors.  It was so fast and so loud... then the fireworks started... the lightening hit the tree with the force of a bomb!
Sparks started coming out of the ground  into the sky, as tall as my two story house.... 

The tree only lost some bark but I'm not complaining.

 I Ran into the bathroom!

At first I was stunned not knowing what to do because the lights went out and the breaker switches all were blown... but then the electricity came on, one room at a time?
The cable was out along with the internet and my house phone...  So I called the local cable company.  "We will be out in the morning" was all they could tell me.


Well morning turned into noon.  As the cable guy went from room to room he saw that all the boxes connected to our tv's were blown as well... dead... their insides FRIED!   So he went to work trying to restore our service, especially the modem that is needed for my heart monitor. 
While he worked he told me of a home that was also hit in our town last night.  The house had a direct hit and every single piece of electrical was blown.. her 5 tv's, xbox, three pc's and all wiring both inside and outside the house.... even the box from the cable company that is installed on the side of her house melted down the wall.  A full days work, he told me, to fix her mess.. this woman had not one serge protector plugged into anything.. bet she gets some now!

We had our electric company install surge protectors quite a while ago. We learned our lesson a few years ago when we lost two pc's one night due to lightening.  

Florida has some serious lightening storms.

  Until the cable/electrical workers can get to our house in a few days they have us connected to a neighbors house with a really long extension cord.

I went out to assess the damage this morning.. nothing burned just one tree missing it's bark.  As long as it did not fall onto my house!  It was really interesting to actually see a bolt of lightening hit and how the sparks come out of the ground.  The noise was more of a clap, or crackle.  It's hard to describe just how loud this clap was!
You all know how street excitement go's when something happens like this.. when I told the neighbors that the lightening hit my tree no one would believe me, so I walked them to the back of my yard and their eyes were wide with wonder.  Wow, that sure was loud, was all most could mumble.

They just said on the weather report, "Thunder Storms this afternoon"

Oh Boy!

Family visit comes to an end....

 Dad and Sons huddle before being let loose in the book store.

Much to my dismay my grandsons will be leaving after a weeks visit.  
I took the kids along with their mom and dad, to the book store so they could pick out a book for the long flights they were facing.  
Imagine three 7-8 hr flights in the belly of a MAC (Military Air Cargo) flight... yes the planes that hold the tanks and supplies for the Air Force, seats along the walls of this cavernous airplane. The kids pull out their sleeping bags and sleep on what I call the 'train tracks' in the center... it's so loud that they use earplugs,  but so very safe.  The best part, free flying for the military families.

About 24 families were on this flight to vacation destinations around the world.

This was my daughters first time on such a flight and told me "When I first boarded this  plane I was truly worried"  But like all that take these flights they found the service and the way they were taken care of does not compare to domestic flights.  

The boys are homeschooled and just love to read.  Book stores like we have in the states are non existent in Guam.  The boys eyes were wide with wonder in Barns & Noble.
Ok boys, go pick out a book, any book, I told them as we headed for the children's section.

Looking through the enormous selection was not an easy task and it took quite a while to review all they saw.

Each new book was better than the last.  This was not going to be easy!

So they sat for a while reading a bit of each new selection.

I know, lets ask dad, he can help us choose!

Then the stacks of books started to get a bit confusing so mom came to help!

Finally their choices were made and everyone was happy!

Especially Grandma, I had my Cappuccino.

To the register we all went, books in hand.

Was a good afternoon in the book store!

Tomorrow my Daughter and her family will be leaving for the tiny island of Guam for another year of duty.... Although I'm sad I'm also overjoyed to have had this time with them all... This has been a wonderful two weeks of family... I just don't want it to end!

.

.

.

Speical Visitors

"It's Summer"  

What do you do when 10 family members (two families) all come for a visit? 

You turn the living room into a bedroom for the nights.

The door of the fridge opens every 5 minutes as a kid looks for something new to appear!

When the line forms at the stove by the ever starving child, paper plate in hand.

Find a place, then sit before someone else gets the chair!

When the best made outdoor plans are scrubbed by three days of rain,,, 

never ending rain!  

The crafts come out!

Then the cookie making begins. 

That took up about three hours of time....

You know their getting bored when the baby starts playing with a spider!

 And 5 laptops, 4 iPads,  5 iPhones and numerous games are all fighting for space on the wifi!  Yes, I had to call the cable company to get it up and running,  again!

Lord let the sun come out!

I live on the beach for Gods Sake!

Then the family photographer said,,, "Time for a family picture".

Getting 14 people in place was a job in it's self and took about two hours of our time.

Then the kids and adults made cow costumes and headed out to "Chick-fil-a" for the free food day.... they made paper cut-outs,  but once there found out all their work was only for an appetizer and not a full meal... Only t he full cow costumes got the meal... but it was fun!

I had the pleasure of my daughter from Guam and her husband and three boys. Also my Niece and her family from Ohio and Saudi for a weeks visit.  That was an extra 10 bodies in my little townhouse and the one family that showed up first got the guest room with the queen bed and the other, the living room!

Of course the sun came out today and the family from Saudi had to leave but I do have the family from Guam for a few more days. Their young son asked as the car left the driveway, "The other family is gone, can we have the bed now?"

This has been a great week"

G'ma is happy!

.

.

.