End of May

Our journey together began on Memorial Day many years ago. We were both in the Navy and Jim did me a favor of dropping off my medical records. When he stopped by my apartment he mentioned spending the holiday weekend at the beach and I’m sure it was an afterthought but he invited me.  I did join up with him and the rest. I remember enjoying myself.  But I had duty and had to leave. I invited Jim to dinner on Monday (Memorial Day) and he came.  We enjoyed a spaghetti dinner.  We’ve been together since!  

So we celebrate two anniversaries, Memorial Day and our actual date of marriage in August.  And yes we had spaghetti!

Saturday morning we both were busy. Jim was outside and black tank duties were involved. I did some vacuuming and cleaned the kitchen floor along with laundry, dishes and our spaghetti dinner.  Shook rugs and tended my plants too.

My goal again this year is to make 500 cards.  

31 May 2020...128 cards

Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

Or shows off a tweet on the fridge

Or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasure

More of the OSW cards using Stampin’ Up! Products. Some stamping, die cutting and a few embellishments 

I think these two are my favorites. Hard to see in the picture but the background paper is just torn and flipped.  The DSP from Stampin’ Up! has designs on both sides. The rope and bow were die cut

Another OSW design from Jessica Taylor, using just 6x6 paper from Stampin’Up! I fussy cut the tulips, die cut the hello and added ribbon. Which ribbon do you like best? 

I’ve not seen my little praying mantis in days! Perhaps this huge walking stick ate him! To be fair this big guy was on the rig and no where near my plumerias.

The cicadas are singing again.  Love is in the air!

Our days are heating up and more heat is retained overnight. I can almost take a shower without turning on the hot water. Another month and I should be able to.

Today we went out.  Had lunch at Little Gretel in Boerne.  Breakfast for both of us.  I brought half of mine home.  First time at this restaurant.  Always fun trying new venues.  From there we headed out on an adventure.  Parade of homes ended today and we thought it would be fun to check out some posh digs.  First place was still closed to the public with its metal gates so we drove on.

And on and on...finally found the place and while it was nice with three bedrooms it was way to big for our needs.  No, we're not house hunting!  But it is fun to look.  Got to travel on different roads in Hill Country, always fun.

Drove home after stopping at Whole Foods.  Jim needed some cereal and I found some yummy radishes and Kite Hill Greek Yogurt on sale.  It's vegan and I love Greek Yogurt!  I'll have blueberries with it.  Cheapest visit ever!

So did you enjoy your weekend?  More and more we're opening up around here.  Hope this doesn't fuel more cases of Covid 19.

For those of you who've been in our area, the bridge is open!  South of here, crossing the Guadalupe River the bridge has been closed since we move here.  Now two lanes of traffic in both directions.

All is right in our world

Rain, thunderstorms and rivers

Our Memorial Day weekend was full of water. Not that we had any plans to go anywhere. But getting outside was iffy! Between storms I did check on my plants.  I’ve added some to the patio.  Had to dump water from the saucers.  Hope your weekend was enjoyable.

We’ve not been going out except for necessities.  Jim needed to replace a bag that he used in the truck bed for storage.  Apparently it rotted out! So we headed to Home Depot for some totes. And as long as I was there I bought some plants.  Basil, spearmint and oregano plus two flowering plants that I can’t recall the name.  I planted all five in a window box. I also planted up three small pots using seeds. But I’m thinking the seeds may have been old. Two pots haven’t sprouted. 😞 Two were parsley, flat and curly and the other chives.  We’ll see which parsley is growing soon. 

It rained hard enough to cause rivers of water going downhill.  Put gouges in the roads and Michael was kept busy rebuilding the drives around here.  Our wifi has been upgraded in the park,  stronger signals and more repeaters.  Our reception has been good enough to stream Netflix and Acorn TV.  Oh!  Dish offered this in their package, still costs the same.  If you like British TV it's fun to have.

My goal again this year is to make 500 cards.  

30 May 2020...117 cards

Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

Or shows off a tweet on the fridge

Or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasure

These are larger cards from a Pinecone Press Kit.  I love the retro look

Using Stampin' Up! products and a One Sheet Design from Jessica Taylor I've been working on these Nautical Cards

Using some more of that Tropical pack of Memories and More from Stampin' Up!  I just love them!  So much I've ordered more! And coordintating DSP

All is right in our world...

We've had rain

Tuesday we had a rain fest.  Starting in the wee hours there were light showers, smattering plops, thunderstorms and buckets and buckets of rain, all day.  Needless to say we didn't do much all day.  Barely got outside to check my plants.  Normal chores were done slow and easy.  I think that's the day I made vegetable beef soup.

On to more exciting stuff!  Sunday Jim asked if I wanted to go to lunch for Mother's day.  Why would I say no?  Our restaurants are opening up.  Drove up to Blanco and ate outside at a BBQ place.  It was quite tasty.  So much so Jim finished his whole meal!  I wonder if he's getting tired of my cooking???  I brought half of mine home and had it for dinner

Then we drove a meandering road over to Fredricksburg.  It was such a beautiful day and there were a lot of people out and about.  Some wearing masks others not, like us.  I took a few pitcures of the potted plants and flowers.  Such a joy to be doing something 'normal'

Wednesday was not a good day for me.  Nauseous most of the day.  Laid down for about an hour. Not sure if it's from this gall bladder issue or taking so many pain killers.  So far my June 2 surgery hasn't been cancelled.  I'm so ready to be over this!

Speaking of medical things, this afternoon I have a dermatology appointment.  Checking on my nose.  It's been a year (more than) since the cancer was removed. A previous appointment was cancelled due to the Covid virus

Jim was outside changing the water filters out, feeding the birds etc.  I just did normal chores and laid around like a slug.

Early, early this morning a storm rolled through.  Gosh it was noisy and lightening struck fairly close because Boo didn't like it and had a fit of barking, then whined to come up with us.  Can't say that I blame him.  I got up and it was only 0530....oh well.

It's after nine and the man of the house is still in bed...rough night I guess.  

All is right in our world

Aches and Pains

Thursday night I didn’t sleep well. The issue I have with my right arm is quite uncomfortable at times.  For over a year my right thumb has been numb. I’ve dropped things and made quite a few messes. I’ve adjusted and don’t drop as often. It was suggested I use a wrist brace as this could be carpal tunnel.  It has helped. I wear it all night and off and on during the day.  But I now I often have radiating pain all the way up my arm. My elbow and shoulder are painful and I think I’ve pinched a nerve. I don’t have full range of motion and when I forget the pain reminds me of the sciatica I had a few years back.  I’ve taken a lot of Tylenol and Advil this year!

Getting back to Thursday night my arm was giving me trouble. I couldn’t lay on my right side and laying on my left side I couldn’t find a comfortable position for me and my arm.  I cannot sleep on my stomach or back because of the surgery I had many moons ago fusing three vertebrae.  

This getting older is not fun! 

Friday is sheet day and I managed to get the laundry done, dishes from breakfast and that was about it.  Lunch was stew for Jim and Spanish rice for me. Both leftovers. Not long after I was back in bed. Not sure how long, maybe an hour because I had put the last load in the dryer and I heard it buzzing when it went off 45 minutes later. Don’t think I slept but it was nice to close my eyes.

About this time my lower back on the left side started aching.  I have learned this is nothing to ignore and I associate it with my gallbladder. I know the gallbladder is on the right and in the front. But when I’ve had this back pain it was followed by the passing of a stone. No stone! The rest of the day was just me being uncomfortable and nauseous.  Jim made the bed and did dishes. 

By the time we went to bed at 2200 I was relatively pain free.  Friday night I slept well.

Saturday morning Jim slept until 10 am.  Then sat at the table in front of his laptop for three hours braking only for meals and calls of nature.  I did laundry, made the bed and fixed our stir fry lunch.  After lunch he transferred to his lounger.  Dishes for me.

We both played games, I walked to the office and Jim went for a walk.  I know the tv was on at some point....

Today is Mother’s Day and I received a lovely card from Sonsearae and Chris. They also sent me some colored pencils. Looking forward to using them.  On Sunday we clean the fridge so I won’t need to prepare a meal.  Sure would be nice to go out.

My goal again this year is to make 500 cards.  

10 May 2020...110 cards

Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

Or shows off a tweet on the fridge

Or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasure

This is such a lovely card..simple and I like it

More tropical fun!  This card pack is full of fun images and it does make me long for the beach

I may have trouble parting with these flamingos!

How about a couple ukuleles?

All is right in our world...even if that involves aches and pains

So Tiny!

So...How are you coping with your areas restrictions?  I have no idea how long this virus will be around but everywhere there are people suffering.  Not from the virus but because of it.  I think there will be a lot of foreclosures on small venues.  And stockpiling?  I think that's going to be an ongoing process for everyone even with stores placing limits.  I've already seen where milk, bread etc. and basic commodities are being bought on a daily basis by some families.  Seriously,  large families can go through a gallon of milk along with a dozen eggs daily.  No wonder there was a problem getting toilet paper!

How will you cope with shortages?  It will be interesting to see how the younger generation will deal with this.  

I have another praying mantis baby! He is so tiny.  I watched one grow up last year on the plumeria.  Perhaps this little guy will stay around

My tomato plant doesn't look all that great but I've picked one tomato in the past week and there are more getting bigger.  I'm sure I'll toss it when it gets hot and flowers fall off.

Still staying home for the most part.  Neither one of us want to get this virus.  We have enough medical issues already!  Boo went to the groomer this morning and he looks ever so much better.  Our hair salons are beginning to open but I'm sure loyal customers will be taking all the appointments for awhile.  I was getting my hair cut at the Aveda Institute and I'm not sure when or if they'll open.

Our day has been overcast so Jim took advantage of that and washed the truck.  It looks better too!

My goal again this year is to make 500 cards.  

7 May 2020...105 cards

Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

Or shows off a tweet on the fridge

Or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasure

These are larger cards from a Pinecone Press Kit.  I love the retro look

The May monthly kit from Wendy Cranford at Luvin' Stampin' features all this lovely Tropical papers and images.  I'm in love...All Stampin' Up! product and I even had the proper, matching card stock.  The pineapple card has some inking on the edges and I rounded the corners

These five are made with just paper!  Quick and easy.  I did add some burlap ribbon to the bottom set of cards

Which one is your favorite of these tropical cards?

No matter what unfolds with Covid 19 make sure you take care of you and those you love.  Do what you have to and stay healthy

All is right in our world

Great Day for a Picnic

So, what have you been up too?  Us?  Mostly hanging around and doing chores.  I'm kept busy (or not) by housework, cooking, laundry etc. And Card Making! Most days I'm not really hungry but I don't want Jim eating peanut butter sandwiches all the time so I do fix meals. Today it was Mexican rice and leftovers.  Jim had some chicken with his and we both had butter beans and Brussels Sprouts.  Sunday is clean the fridge day

Jim has been busy cleaning the outside of the rig.  From top to bottom it's clean!  Last spring he was busy recovering from the lung procedure and I wanted to hire someone to do it but he didn't want to spend the money.

My goal again this year is to make 500 cards.  

3 May 2020...95 cards

Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

Or shows off a tweet on the fridge

Or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasure

I have this pad of black and white paper and I finally decided to use some of it.  This design is pretty simple using two 'black papers'.  The card stock is Stampin' Up! Using the Daisy Punch I made the flowers

Luvin Stampin monthly kit from Wendy Cranford has me using some Tropical Papers and embellishments 

About that picnic?  Yesterday Jim wanted to go to walmart to get a couple things and I have been wanting to get out for a picnic while the weather is good.  In Boerne they have a meandering walkway along the river with benches and tables.  

So I packed a couple sandwiches, pickle, some drinks and pretzles.  Did I mention the weather was super?

Not only were the ducks enjoying the water, there were gobs and gobs of people enjoying the park!  Fishing, walking, biking, partying and in general just soaking up the freedom to be out and about.

When we pulled into a parking space we noticed people sitting in the outdoor space of Dodging Duck.  Picnic quickly forgotten as we found out we could get a table!  Several restaurants around San Antonio have outdoor seating and it was a perfect day for enjoying fresh air and people watching.  The tables were six feet apart and the wait staff were wearing masks.  I also saw a table being cleared and cleaned.  Also the menus are disposed of after each use.  They don't recycle so I brought ours home

Texas is in stage one of reopening the businesses and we are pleased to say we enjoyed our lunch.  We both enjoyed a cold adult beverage and sandwiches.  It was ever so nice!

All is right in our world