Hot, Humid June--Where is Spring?

Yucca plant in bloom

No cooking, no sewing, no porch-sitting-----tooooo HOT!!! One wonders how these little baby Swallows can stand the heat in those birdhouses!!! Now, our own resident Kermit has the right idea--- he's spending his days under the cool shade of the coleus leaves (of little plants that are awaiting a permanent home, either in the ground or in a pot).

Hope everyone is staying cool in this August heat we're having in early June! I'm sending envious thoughts to my friends in Wisconsin and those other northern states that are getting all of the rain. You have too much....we have too little. *sigh* It's dry as a dustbowl here! :/

Happy Mother's Day

I finally heard back about the CT scan and echocardiogram that I had done....no blockages! Most excellent news! :) I do have irregular heart beat, but I can live with that. :)

Hope everyone has a lovely Mother's Day!

Columbine
Pinks
Salvia with Gaillardia
Irises
Sunset

Post Op Report

Randy is doing great. It was no where near as extensive as it was 12 years ago. We are both relieved to have that part behind us. He even slept last night, which we didn't expect, since he's partially propped up to sleep. Of course, he doesn't feel like a million bucks, and won't for a while, but he is certainly not feeling (nor looking) nearly as bad as we were prepared for. His activities are a bit restricted insofar as heavy lifting or anything too strenuous for a month. He sees the doctor again in 3 weeks. I ended up postponing my appt with the heart specialist since I was at the hospital with him. I had asked that someone call me about my test results, but that didn't happen yesterday, so if I don't hear from them by mid-day today, I'll call and reschedule the office appt. See, the way I feel about it is if there had been something serious going on they would have already called me. Since they haven't, my thoughts are they really would like to have that $422 office visit fee. No wonder this country is going to hell in a hand basket---no one except the 'rich' can afford those kinds of fees, and it really riles me that if you can't afford to have insurance you don't see a doctor. It's criminal---well actually, I guess the powers that be can look at it like a new form of population control. The majority of the people in this country don't have insurance, can't afford the insurance OR the doctor's fee, so therefore they don't get the care they need. Hence, a new form of population control. Sorry for the minor rant there. I get like this when I have to deal with some of the 'professionals'.

Happy, Happy May Day!

Wow, can one of you out there in blogland please explain to me how we've gone from Christmas to May Day in such a rush???? :D Well, never mind, it is what it is....and it IS May Day! And yes, thank you very much, it's been an absolutely gorgeous day here at Ships Landing and I've been outside ALL DAY LONG!!! Oh, my most favorite place in the whole wide world to be! :D

Hello World, won't you come on in...

and I'll fill you in on this long blog gap of mine. :)

My dear, dear friend, Finn, sent me the most delightful 'mailbox sunshine', and it could not have come at a more welcome time! Imagine my utter surprise and delight when I found this little package in my mailbox! :) She sent me my very own Finn-created rag rug coaster!!! :) And yummy cherry chocolate M&Ms (I had no idea they even made cherry chocolate M&Ms) :), and this wonderful book---thank you so very much, my dear Finn! (Give Mz. Ebbie hugs for me)

Now, on to the yuck stuff---it's all been just a mess of medical appts and such boring stuff that I've not had the interest in sharing it. :/ In a nutshell, Randy has been dealing with more medical issues, and is now scheduled for sinus surgery next Tuesday (May 6), and I've just had a round of tests yesterday through the cardiologist. In my case, it's just a 'hurry up and wait' game now. All of this heart hoopla was brought about due to my irregular heart beat and extreme fatigue. My MD wanted me to see a cardiologist to make sure there were no 'hidden' issues. So, I'm going on with my regular 'rat killin' and diggin' holes in the yard, LOL, and they can call me if they (being doctors) need to tell me I'm on the verge of dropping. ROFL

Dewey seems to have pulled out of the kidney problem, but he's having a horrible time getting around now. His front legs are barely working for him, and the vet had mentioned that he has a problem with his back in the neck area. Poor little fella is just going from one struggle to another. And of course Badger's back is flaring up again....of course it is, we're going into the first week of May, aren't we? :/ As much as I love Spring, I always dread the first week of May every year since 2002 cause Badger always ends up with a disc going on him and spending 4-6 weeks crated. Soooooo, how many of you out there in blogland want to come spend some time at Ships Landing Hospital and Rehab Center? ROFLLLL

I have been spending ALL of my waking hours outside.....no surprise there, right? *g* We've been having the most wonderful weather...until today, and the morning temp was 36, and it's slated for a freeze tonight. Of Course, I've already bought some annuals to plant, but thank goodness, I've been holding off, waiting for May to put them in the ground. Last night I was outside dragging the hems of my 'loungejay' britches through the rain-wet grass, in the dark, trying to find those little pots that I had scattered throughout the beds, to bring them on the porch, where they will stay for a few days now.

I must must call my seester, Flan, and make sure no tornadoes landed on their house last night. Flan, are you and Jay safe??? I just read online this a.m. about the tornadoes there in the Richmond area. I'll call you later today. :)

So, there you have it in a nutshell, my family and friends, the fun happenins at Ships Landing. :)

I just read through the comments on my last post, and thank you -all of you--for your kind comments and prayers for my furkids!!! You will never know just how much that touches my heart! All of my blogging 'family' have become such a part of my life in such a special way in such a short time, and I feel bad that I'm not posting very often right now. I will, I will, soon, I promise, but thank you sooo much for hanging in there with me for the time being, during these medical messes. 'This too shall pass', and please, can it be soon??? ROFL PSS--I've actually done some needleturn applique the last TWO nights! Wooohooo! :D

Lyn's blog is www.justgrannys.blogspot.com. You must go check it out and say hi! She's a sweetheart...and has a love for flowers to match my own, I think. :) She just made herself a dress form, now how cool is that??? :) And you must see the mug rug that Finn sent to her. Just darling. Now I'll just have to make myself one of those little cuties. :D Dewey is not feeling any better. I have a call in to two vets now. One is my vet from when I lived in Kingsport, and my all time favorite....however, he may be mad at me since I started going to a vet closer to where I live now. He's over an hour away from me. I just felt that with my boys reaching the ages that they are at that I needed someone closer to home. I just don't know if that was such a smart decision at this point. :( Sooooo, he may not call me back at all. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed. From online research it looks like Dew may be in acute renal failure. Just toooo sad. Especially when you really don't know what to do to help them. As I've said, he is 13 years old. I can't see putting him through any thing that's too traumatic for him at this point. Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and prayers for our Dewey. He is one special little dog.

Everyday Life

Dewey is still not doing very well. They haven't found any cancer, but he does have E. Coli in his right kidney. How weird is that? Now, this evening, I've just noticed that he's swollen under his right eye. Found this after I talked to you, Nita. :( I've noticed for some time that his breathing sounds like his nose is stuffed up. Maybe this is why....whatever it is that's caused the swelling. Crap, I just do not know what else to do for him. We spent right at $2,000.00 in just a month on the 'boys', and most of that was on Dewey. We can't keep that up. He's on a high-powered antibiotic right now trying to clear up the E. Coli infection. He's already done one round of another antibiotic which didn't help at all. Poor little fella can hardly put one little paw in front of the other, his arthritis has gotten so bad. He turned 13 this month. I just hate to see them suffer. Guess I'll call the vet tomorrow about the swelling.

I started a little wallhanging last weekend and the pieced background is as far as I've gotten. I'm going to needle turn applique and I'm ready to start stitching the pieces down. It's called Ladyslippers (I think) by Pat Sloan from a MaCall's magazine from last year.

I received the most lovely gift from Lyn (whose blogspot I can't remember this minute :( ). As soon as I find it again, I'll post it. :) Isn't it just the most embarrassing thing when someone has been so kind to you and you can't even remember the most of important things---like her blog name *hanging head in shame* . *sigh* She shared some of her marigold seeds with me, but in addition, she also sent me those two lovely fat quarters and the cutest note. Thank you so much, Lyn, for your generosity!! :)

I've been totally caught up with the birds. We had a few days of really lovely temps this month, and of course, I spent those outside from the time I rolled out of bed until time to go back to bed. :) Oh Spring, sweet sweet Spring.....I'm so very ready for Spring!

Happy happy Easter!

Update on Dewey

Dewey has nice clean white teeth now! :) However, he does have several problems. For starters, he was dehydrated. His calcium level is way too high. He has a kidney and a bladder infection. The vet is concerned that he may have a form of malignent cancer which may be causing the calcium elevation. At this point, it's too soon to know ANYTHING for sure...so I'm going positive until I have proof that there is something serious that I need to worry about. He has antibiotics for 14 days, and then she will want to see him again for more blood work to try to determine the cause of the inflated calcium levels. Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and prayers for my sweet 'boy'. :)

I just have to share with the world at large that my birthday (2-26-08) was super special from start to finish. My dear friend, Dazey Darlene, started my day with a special phone call with a birthday wish!! Thank you so much, my EBFF!! :) And my siblings called throughout the day. I spent the day with one of my seesters -- Sug and BIL Fred, and we had a great time. She made our most favorite Wacky Chocolate Cake for us too. ;) Yum!!! And such FUN gifties--a bucket of ground wheat bran to start our meal worm farm for the Bluebirds, and conduit pipe to raise my Shepherd's crooks up higher so that the deer can't eat the birdseed, and HUGE pinecones from South Carolina so I can make me some peanut butter/birdseed coated pinecones to hang for the birdies, and and and a stitchery kit and a candlewicking pillow kit and and and hmmmm

Then we went to Lowe's and bought me a wonderful storm door, and a new spading fork for the garden, and the most special telescoping rake, and birdseed and and oh I know, I got me a WOOD CHISEL!!!! Now how fun will THAT be????? :D Oh, and a roll of chicken wire to try to discourage the deer from eating my baby bushes and trees and flowers and such. :D

When we got back to my house there was a florist box on my porch. My dear sweet quilting niece, Glorie, sent me the most BEAUTIFUL pink tulips and purple irises...oh my goodness, they are just breathtakingly beautiful!! No one has ever sent me tulips OR irises before!

One of my seesters played the most beautiful song for me...over the phone...on our Mom's piano which she now has....how very special that was!! A Dream of Love (the song)

Vickie (my SIL) and brother, Den, called me. It's always so much fun to talk to Den and Vickie...gotta talk 'wood' with my brother! :) My seester, Flan, called and we spent the most delightful time talking about birds and trees and plants and Spring Fever!!! My seester, Nita, left a message on the answering machine (cuz I was out partyin' with my other seester, Sug ROFL), then Nita caught me today for a wonderful chat --- yup, about birds and trees and plants and such.....Oh it was all just so special!!!!

Now, I know without a doubt that I've left someone or something out, but not because it was any less special or appreciated---just because I'm really tired now and my pea brain is drawing blanks ROFL. I'm getting off of here, but I just had to share some of this. :D

BTW, the last photo is of a coyote that was in the field right behind my house. I actually took this photo from my kitchen window.

Edit: How could I forget to tell you what was in the black bag----one of the BEST and MOST IMPORTANT gifties of ALL-------SHEEP POOP (well, bedding, anyway ROFL) from my new friend, Flanie!!!! Lest you don't understand why one with red high heels would get excited about Sheep Poop...well it's for my flowerbeds, of course!!! *laughing hilarariously*

A Trip to the Vet

We had to take the 'boys' to the vet on the 12th for their annual check up. The vet noticed a growth on Dewey's gum between his front teeth. Yesterday we went back for her to look at it again (after antibiotics which didn't do anything) and decide what to do. So he is scheduled for teeth-cleaning and surgical removal of the growth next Thursday. She did x-ray his little head and found a shadow in the area of this growth. Everything else looked good. But she did say that it concerned her...that it could possibly be a form of cancer "which is very aggressive". Needless to say, I'm really concerned about my little Dewey. He'll be 13 next month, so he is definitely getting some age on him. He's grown stiff and slow, but he is still the sweetest, best-natured dog I've ever had.

It's raining. I know, I know--it could be sleet, snow and ice like some of our 'neighbors' in this country are having, but I would almost rather have the snow than the grey, cold, dreary rain. But I must admit, it's really matching my mood today. Some friends were in a car accident a couple of days ago, and the husband was killed. I'm just so very sad to know that Clayton doesn't share this world with us now, and that Jewell will have to begin a path of learning to live without him by her side.

Shock Alert---I have actually picked up a block that Dazy Darlene and I were stitching 'together', hmmmm, last Fall, maybe? and have been doing a bit of applique. I feel like a 'newbie' cuz it's been absolutely ages since I have done any sewing. I need to take a picture of my progess with the knitted shawl. :) Just to prove I haven't been totally idle, lying around eating bonbons, and growing more fat. ;) Actually some of the previous statement HAS been taking place but we just won't go there today. :/

She is ALIVE! :)

Life has been getting in the way of those more fun things that I like to indulge in. I'm longing for Spring...spinning my wheels, accomplishing nothing, chores piling up like boulders on my back...so I get yet another cup of coffee and park in front of the window to watch the birds...

Treasures

I know I've been 'away' for a while. :/ Just living life. :) Thought I would share some treasures with you that I found last Friday, when I spent the entire day with a new friend, Nancy, who has the local yarn shop, Ewe and I.

This bookcase is a perfect fit at the end of my island. Got some of the cookbooks off of the counter. :) (Oops, shoulda moved the cigarettes...Randy's always telling me I need to look at what will be in the background of the pictures before I snap them :/)A couple of pretty plates that had to come home with me (even tho the larger one is discolored, I still love it)
Oh, look at this treasure---I have wanted one of these 'old' toolboxes forever...and I finally found it!!!
Don't you just love this wooden bucket? The lady that owns the antique shop painted it red...I LOVE it!!
And last, but by no means least, look at this 'beauty'!!! Oh he's adorable!! And my little Badger just creeped up on him .... growling... several times Badger had to 'stake his claim' LOL with this little wienie planter. :)

I am home alone today, until Sunday afternoon. Last night I started doing some embroidery again. I've also been knitting a bit. I'm going out to lunch with a couple of friends tomorrow. I'm becoming quite the social butterfly, aren't I? *g* (Not bloody likely ROFL)

The wind is really ripping today. I have a fire going in the stove, and I'm heating water for a cup of tea. Hope all of you are snuggled in and ready for a lovely weekend.