a Friday favorite on a Monday

I've been a tad lax on my Friday Favorites, but consider this little hose caddy high on the list.  I've heard about these little wonders that use the power of the water to rewind the hose, but didn't seriously look at them till this year.  Previously my hose might lay stretched out across the yard for several days because either it was too hot or I was too lazy to put it up.  I'll let you choose which excuse you prefer.  

Mine doesn't look exactly like this one, but very similar.  At this point I intended to insert a little video, but I'm having problems wrapping my brain around it.  Maybe later, sigh.  But how nice it is to just sit on the little ledge, flip the handle, and it starts winding itself up.  Who knew, right?

I find myself lacking a bit in the motivation department this summer.  This is the time of the year to be working on my Scraps to Treasure challenge quilt, and I'm having a time making any progress.  We've all exchanged our fabrics, and I've had mine a few months now.  Ah, we'll see. 

I have read a few books though.  I'd listened to Lee Childs, among other authors, when I was still working.  I've gone back and read a couple of his first books with the Reacher character, and really enjoyed having something that is hard to put down.  I'm on the library's waiting list for the next in line.  In the meantime, I've heard about Robyn Carr, and have just checked out the first 4 books (all in one book) for one of her series.  Think I just figured out what I'll be doing this afternoon.   ;)

That's it for now.  Take it easy, all.

flower girl

Elise was here on Friday, and took great pleasure in watering plants and bushes.  In fact, she enjoyed her little gardening tools so much she took them home and slept with her trowel in hand.     Yep, a lot like her daddy, and just a touch of Grams thrown in the mix.  Think when she grows up that she'll still like playing in the dirt?   I hope so.

 (Don't pay attention to the weeds, just to the little cutie in her tutu.  I'm in the process of spring cleaning in the flower beds.)

road trip

Nolene and I hit the road on Sunday for a quick trip to see Sister Sue and family in Arkansas. We got home yesterday afternoon, and a good time was had by all.

We managed to get in some geocaching. Nolene and I picked up a couple of caches at a roadside rest on the way. Virgil has just recently gotten started, so we helped him hide a cache as well as we found a few. Sue's knee was giving her problems, so she didn't make it out with us, but we had a good time.

Troy's out and about on his wheelchair tending the lawn, despite having been in the hospital recently. But his lawn is looking really good...wish mine was doing that well. This is nothing new, he takes great care of it. And he doesn't let being in a wheelchair get in his way... he's been known to push the lawn mower with one hand, and steer the chair with the other. He's had a riding mower for awhile now, so that's not an issue anymore. :)

On the way home, we decided to take a scenic route rather than head straight in to Dallas. We got off on 259 to head over to Longview, then before we got there, took off on 154 to 155 through Gilmer and Winona to bring us out on I20 a little closer. I've got to make that leg of the journey again, it was so scenic. And full of history too. We stopped at 2 historical markers along the road, and would have stopped at more but Nolene was in a hurry to get to some facilities, if you know what I mean. I bet we passed at least 10 markers on that 20-30 mile stretch, and I'd like to go back and take a look at them.

I've discovered I'm feeling aches in places I didn't know could ache. I've been putzing around in the yard, and dug holes in the clay to plant a few things, along with pulling some weeds. Guess I'm starting to get a bit older, the way I hobble. You know, Sally Fields has been doing a commercial for Boniva. She's about my age, and as I see her sitting on the pier with her feet dangling, I find myself wondering how she does on getting up. They don't show that part. Does she have to hold onto something to get herself into a standing position? On the rare occasion I find myself flat on the ground with nothing to hold onto, it's not a pretty sight to see me rolling over onto my knees and trying to appear nonchalant while I get up.

Ah well, such is life.

time flies when you're having fun

Things have been steady around here. I know I haven't gotten bored yet.

I'm keeping Elise daily till the end of school when her dad is on summer break, and Rhett and Ashlynn on Mondays. They're also till the end of school when their mom is on summer break. Then I'll be on summer break! I'm enjoying this time to spend with the grandkids, and passing my influence on to them. ;)
Been getting a few things done around the yard too. Got the fence replaced after a couple of
really strong winds showed me just how bad it was needed. Then when that was done, David started putting in a planter along the back. He put in a retaining wall/planter last year for me, and I had some timbers left. I'll need to get about 5 more for it to be finished. I put out a lot of weed killer on the "lawn" about 10 days ago. It was pretty well overtaken with weeds. Now I need to see about getting some grass coming in.

I planted a few perennials, and Rhett helped me plant some seeds my secret sister had sent me. They've started sprouting, and it will be fun for the kids to see the growth each week when they come.

I was really pleased with myself yesterday because I painted the patio ceiling when Elise was taking her morning nap. I've been intending to do that for close to two years now, so I can finally cross it off my list. In some ways that list is getting shorter, but it still keeps growing. Guess that's just the way it is.

Finally getting back to some sewing, though I don't have a picture handy right now. I've made a start on my black/white quilt. I've been gathering fat quarters here and there, and secret sis sent me several in the last package, along with a quilting book that had a great pattern that used b/w's. If I get a pic tomorrow I'll edit this, but I'll have plenty of time. This won't go together overnight. There are 190 half square triangles, and I may have a third of them sewn. I can already see I'll have more shopping to do!

Guess that's it for now.

this week in Alvarado

I have to say, though I think everyone here already knows, this process of moving is hard work! Yesterday and this morning I've worked in the yard. Have to maintain that curb appeal you know. The front yard is looking good. Mowed yesterday, and over the two days, I've cleaned up the planting beds by weeding and replacing mulch. I even rearranged my little yard ornaments. My nails are looking really sad and I ache all over, but the front is done. Next on the agenda is the back yard. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not.

Enough of that!

Let's see. Oh, yes. My Starbucks saga continues. I really have cut back to the once a week treat, even though the clerk (barista?) knows my beverage of choice. And I have now advanced to the "Hey, girl!" greeting. Who knows, maybe it's comparable to the waiters that come up and say "my name is Steve and I'll be your waiter tonite". You know, all the Starbucks were closed a couple of weeks ago for an hour or two for some kind of a mass meeting or training session. I think they were emphasizing the need for personalization. I can testify, they took it to heart.

Okay, not a lot new this week. Wait! Happy birthday Virgil and Mike and Missy. Brother-in-law Art had one recently as well. Hope all were/will be good ones.

Catch you later...