Fall

 Fall flowers

In the spring, since we were having covid time, I did not plant my spring and summer flowers.

Instead, I waited for fall blooms, thinking that would be the time we would most want the garden to bloom.

So far:

excuse the hose, we are still watering

Some times, there are no words.

 

Such a short time ago

June 2019

Such a short time ago

This picture of Steve and our daughter Janel was taken June of 2019.

They were waiting for me at the eye Dr. 

I found this on his phone.  Apparently while they were in the waiting   Janel, got a little creative and did a selfie, with her dad.

I am so glad she did, as he has changed so much,  in such a short period of time. 

This was after his stroke but before the dementia had set it.

Thank you all for taking the time to write and help me with my journey.

Angela, suggested I keep positives in mind.

So today, I am so happy I found this on his phone

The sun is shining and we had some well needed rain.

I have a huge support system, thanks to all of you.  

I'm Not there yet

 

I am not there yet.  Some days I wonder if I ever will be. When my Dr. recommended that I blog,  that I write my feelings,  that I come to grips with reality.     I did write occasionally, but never about my feelings.  Dr. is not happy, she said write as if I am speaking to a good friend or even what I would tell my sister!

That is really hard for me, as I feel like it is self pity.  I know so many people going through some really tough times, it just seems like the wrong thing to do.   

Some of you remember I posted about my hubby's stroke and about aphasia, the inability to communicate.  There are different levels, he has the combination of expressive, the ability to express himself and receptive, the ability to understand what is said around him.  Add to that he is developing  stroke induce dementia.   

So, my world can get pretty lonely.  I follow your blogs to communicate with the outside world.  I try my hand at crafts, have pretty much not done any sewing, as the inspiration is just not there.

Sorry, if I sound like I am feeling sorry for myself.  Just feel like I don't fit in, like I am not myself and don't even know who that is anymore.

will I follow Dr's orders or suggestion that I write it out? I don't know if I will.  I don't feel that it would be a great help,  but then how do I know unless I try? right?  

How much would I share with my sister?  How often would I say "I am fine, how are you'?  

So it begins

Fall

I made it, (almost)  I held out starting the fall decorations

until the official first day of fall!

First--do you remember the cabinet I wanted to give away but could not figure out how to get it to my friend BJ in Texas?

Well now it is in a new spot on the porch

I need to find or make different cloths for it

Having the drawers, gives me a place to hold the extra things.

Different cloths, and decorations can be put in the drawers.

This is a starting idea.

This will be fun!

The girls wanted in on the fun.

Seems they are always excited for Halloween.

Now, they just have to wait!  

One Down

 First piece of furniture to go!

My goal to minimize, has lead to the first piece of furniture to leave the house.

This was full of paper stuff.  If it was paper, I saved it

I ran copies of 'stuff' and saved those. When the cabinet was full, I filled up notebooks.  I went to Goodwill and bought more notebooks, so I could save my paper!

I don't know why, as I hardly ever looked at any of the papers. So I have been buried in paper, but this time getting rid of it.

I do know there are things that need to be saved.  So, those are tucked away in a safe spot.

There are things that do not need to be saved!

Empty!!

I have gained space in my room!

I have my eye on a dresser, that just might be the next to go!

The problem I am having is-- this feels so good I want to just go for it and dump everything.

OUR VALLEY

FALL!

 

I wanted to share with you a bit of our valley. Of coarse, the walking trail is one of my very favorite spots.  Along with anything that has to do with the river.  

The walking trail will take you along the river, across the river and along the other side.

My grandson Cole. was visiting and we told him about the trail. well not being from here, he had no idea just how long that tail is.

Poor guy, it was hot and he didn't have any water with him. He made it!

If you are wondering, this is the might Columbia river.

Pictures are from Mike Bonnicksen

SIDE BY SIDE

Pink and Blue

 

Pink and blue blooming side by side 

On my endless Summer Hydrangea, Bloom Struck.

Some blooms are turning brown already and some are just in bud.

I don't know if it is the correct thing to do but I leave 

My brown flowers on, right through the winter.  They look pretty to me

and stay through the winter.

Before you say ugh!

This is a before.

I wished I had a spot to plant flowers

and maybe over winter some hardy ones but!!

There was just not anyplace to make that happen

until

I started to get rid of 'stuff'.  Stuff I had no use 

for but I was hanging on to it. 

This spot opened up, in my shed!!  All of the sudden 

I saw my potting bench, I realize that winter hardy

plants will probably be able to over winter.  I have electricity (although that needs some looking into)  make a note to call son in law.

I can get grow lights, there is room to store all sorts of soil and planting material.  This is the before, just wait until you see the after shot!

 

THE WINNER IS___

Winner of our first blog give away is

Karen Va

Congratulation!  I am excited to see which font

you chose.

HAVING A GIVE AWAY!!

Win this welcome sign

Rivalry Designs is offering 

https://www.facebook.com/rivalrydesignsisters

A custom made welcome sign

You chose the font

Since this is my first

give away

Lets keep it very simple

Just leave a post, saying you would love the sign

for one entry

let me know, you follow and that will be another entry.

I will draw on August 22

My sign from Rivalry

Good luck to all! 

A still small voice

A still small voice, made me enter the drawing

on

EVERYDAYLIVING

I never win at those things and why would this be any different.

I knew the book would be such a help to me.

Downsizing, as it is sometimes called, which I have come to believe was made up by a person needing to rid themselves of their hoard.

Such a gentle way to say "throw it out!"

"No, I am not getting rid of all my clutter, I am downsizing!"

As many of you know, "downsizing" has been a real

hardship for me.

I felt I needed to apologize for moving to a senior

mobile home park.

why is it so hard to live a minimal life?

I love this book.  It has made such a huge difference

already.

One of the things I was struggling with 

the most was sewing magazines.

Not just any sewing magazines, but special ones.

Australian arts and smocking!

Now for those that sew and smock, you would never

NEVER part with those.  Sell maybe but to give away!

NEVER!!

I was only a few pages into the book, when that 

still small voice said Mary Jane

would like those magazines. You know the ones in storage,

You know the ones that will do her more good then

just sitting in storage.

A call to Mary Jane, the magazines boxed and on the porch

and a very happy friend and it made me feel

good, not sad, to part with those magazines.

It is a journey, thank you to 

Pam, for holding the drawing.

Thank you to Cheryl E. Smith

for sharing her journey, so we can

follow, with a map.

My journey has just begun. 

My first load has just gone out. I am still only in this

ankle deep.

As Cheryl describes in her book. you have many 

layers to go though.

LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO___

RIVALRY DESIGN!!

When two sisters (granddaughters) got busy a

new business was born.

Jennifer and sister CoriAnne

RIVALRY

Just leave it to those two.

Love my sign?

Well, it was made by Jennifer. 

All I did was have a vague idea 

and knew it had to involve a red truck.

Just a sample of their work, so if you have an idea

and want something special contact them.

Rivalrydesignsisters@gmail.com

A few of their many, many ideas and they

will custom make an order.

Also on Face Book 

Rivalrydesignsisters

I also have a number, contact me and I will 

share the number.

LET THE OBSESSION BEGIN

Found it

I have become obsessed with the little red truck.

I spot it everyplace and love it.

When Mary at  Home is where the boat is

posted her truck with summer flowers

my obsession started all over again.

My granddaughter Jennifer along with her sister
Corianne, have started a design company
so of coarse I ordered a sign

Hobby Lobby came through with a
Little red truck
on sale!

I have more to say about the design 
company, started by those two,
so stay tuned.

Rivalry Designs 

Not good with plants

Went the usual way

I was given a plant for my birthday.  A you can't kill this type of plant.

Me?  I am a master at killing un killable plants.

this plant was in my care for five (5) days!

I didn't think that was long enough to bring harm to it.

I did not water it!!  so everyone saying it was over watered, well, that wasn't by me.

Put it out side people said;

So, off to the porch it went, and it was also

given an angel to watch over it:

doesn't look like that is working

It might be a stretch but I think

there is some improvement.

If you squint, right in the center

you can see what looks like new leaves.

Okay, the challenge is on!  I am so tired of killing plants

I am determined to dig in (get it?)

I will be successful, not sure how many plants will give up

their lives but I hope not to many.   

I WON

A winner here!

Pam, at Everyday living, had a book review and a drawing!

https://everydayliving.me/2020/07/13/a-book-review-giveaway/

I was picked the winner!!

I love her blog, so it was just so exciting to see my name.

I have been facing some challenges and God has directed my path

more then ever in the last week.

So winning this book just is another way he has to 

show me I am heading in the right direction.

FAITH

These times call for much faith.

I am struggling and will admit it:

It is becoming so hard to keep up the faith each day,  that all of this will end, that all will be alright.

I see our country in turmoil, I see people turning on other people for nothing more then they not wearing a mask.

I must turn this day over to God.

I pray for all of you, your friendship and your blogs have become my neighbors

my daily does of what is right in this world.

May your day end in perfect peace.  

ESCAPE

Want to escape?

I know the perfect spot.  

Lets go to Silver Falls.

Not that far from the road, in fact the trail starts

at the road.

The sound, the cool of the air, the smell.

All of it put me in such a peaceful state of mind.

No rioting, no news blaring how bad things are.

No germs!

Just the loud roar of the water.  Silver falls is in stages, the biggest, fall, followed by continuing smaller falls.

This is the top of the falls.
There is a bridge, so you can walk over the falls plus a wonderful sitting area.  
You can picnic, and enjoy just relaxing.

THE LITTLE RED TRUCK!

On my list of have to have.

I am still upset with myself because 

When Christmas shopping I spotted a little red truck.  It was all by itself and the price was very good.  I thought of purchasing it, but had a couple other things to buy and would come back for it.  

I never did.

I really wasn't thinking beyond Christmas at the time.

Just look at this
Home is where the boat is

Mary used the truck!

Just shows me how limited my thinking can be. The truck does not need to sit in the
Christmas storage box.

Now, I am on a new quest for the little red truck.

Also, why am I limiting myself to patriotic displays of red, white and blue to just the fourth?
I am now thinking those colors will look fabulous at Christmas 
and all year.