No Worries

I can learn from the flowers!

Year Two

Last year I dug up the front area of my house and I put in a flower bed. It seems sometimes I don't comprehend the meaning of moderation, but one can never have too many flowers and shrubs can they?  Anyways, here's what my flowerbed looks like this year, naturally after a bit of work and replanting, but most of my perennials came back this year.

I still want to do a bit of work with this, one thing at a time though.

Helping Hands

It's time to stain the patio this year so I recruited a helper; my niece helped me and she sure did an awesome job.

Too bad she didn't listen and apply sunscreen, her back is so red and now I feel bad for her.  I'll do the second coat tomorrow, then the stairs and railing and my patio will be in fine shape. It's so true what they say, once you have a house the work never seems to end!

Important Notice

While I was out at the farm last weekend I found a box of my daughters things from when she was a young girl so I brought a few of the items back to the city with me. As it just so happened yesterday my daughter stopped in for a visit and we were reading her logbook from grade 2. She wrote me this important notice:

My daughter posted this as her facebook status yesterday, again I laughed when I read it on facebook! The honesty of children, there's nothing like it.

Olympus OM-1

It's amazing the things one can find at an auction and not even know what they're buying. Herb did just this. When I went to the farm last weekend much to my surprise he gave me a case and told me that maybe I could use this.

 I opened it up, after I figured out how to that is, and I was shocked!

The case not only held this camera, which is an Olympus OM-1, it has all of the bells and whistles to go along with it. 

 This camera dates back to 1973, there was an earlier model but according to the research I've done I've learned that "the very first model was presented at Photokina in Cologne in 1972 and was called the Olympus M-1... a complaint from Leica forced Olympus to rename the M-1 to OM-1, and apart from the name the two models are identical." 

Yup, a real gem, one which I don't have a clue how to use, but who knows, one day I just might learn how to use this collectable.  

Excitement

Today I ordered my grad photos, I'm not quite done my degree yet but I'm so close that I'll give you all a sneak peek at my favorite photo, this is the one I ordered. 

 

This photo has given me the needed incentive to wrap up these last two correspondence courses which I need for the credits to complete the requirements for my degree. I've been writing most of the afternoon and it's about high time, I need to have the courses finished and marks in by the end of August.  I want to get these out of the way sooner rather than later so that I'll be able to enjoy some of my summer stress free. I'm soooo excited!

 I'll be convocating in November, this was my decision when I learned that I was going away to Australia for 4 1/2 months. If I would have finished up these two courses I would have already convocated... some things in life can just wait!

First Day of Summer Sunset

The first day of summer this year was beautiful! The weather was perfect and my only complaint is the day passed all too quickly. Here's a few sunset shots I captured on our first day of summer. 

The first one the sun was starting to slowly go down, it was taken at about 10:15pm.

This next one was at about 10:30 - 10:45p.m.; I shot a lot of photos so I can't pinpoint the exact time. 

Thank you Scott for inspiring Sunset Sunday, a great reminder for me to get out and appreciate our beautiful sunsets and nice long days.

In Training

Yesterday Herb went to an auction, he came home and put some keys on the counter. I asked him what he bought this time, he said "It could be a Harley."  My response was "No way!"  He laughed and said no, but they could have been for a Harley ... totally not funny! (As I laugh).  He told me that he bought me a 'training' bike, I asked what it was. 

1968 180cc Yamaha... and it runs! 

Yup, this is going to be an interesting bike to learn on, this summer I'm in training for my Harley. :-)

Aged Vehicles

Since I've been away from the farm I've noticed there's been a few new additions to the collection of old vehicles. I was out shooting photos today and I'm including a few of the ones which were here, as well as some of the 'new' old ones.

This is my favorite oldie but goodie

With a little TLC it'll be as good as new. 

 "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end

We'd sing and dance forever and a day..."

Yup, it's starting to look like a used vehicle lot next to the shop, a very very used vehicle lot that is. 

Speaking of age;

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"

                                                            ~Satchel Paige

Ahhh It's Summer Time

Today is our first day of summer and what a beautiful day it's been. I drove out to the farm to do some weeding, just as I figured my the flower beds are in desperate need of some TLC, I'll get to that tomorrow. 

Today I was greeted by two strangers. 

This is Sassy, she's six months old and extremely playful, so playful she darn near knocked me on my butt! But what a gorgeous dog.

And this is Buddy, he's an older dog and loves attention... but who doesn't? ;-)

I noticed how clean the plane is; it's no wonder it's so clean, it was recently painted. Now they just need some more yellow paint to finish up the job, paint I couldn't get before I left the city because there's ONLY approximately 70,000 different colors to choose from.

 

This next photo I shot at about 9:50pm, this is how light out it was.

As for the first day of summer sunset, well I'm saving that one for my Sunday Sunset post, it was amazing!

Nibs

When I get in the mood for something unhealthy I like Nibs Twizzlers; they're almost justifiable due to zero trans fat ... we won't discuss the ingredients, nor the calories  though k? 

I couldn't get these while I was away in Australia and it's been about 6 or 7 months since I've indulged. The odd thing is I couldn't believe how sweet these tasted after not eating them for so long. This could be a good thing though, I might stay away from them from here on in... "might" being the key word!

Decisions Decisons

While in Australia I took literally thousands of photos, since I've been home I went a purchased a frame which holds I believe 16 photos. I don't want to have photos of my time in Australia all over my home, so I thought this would be an awesome idea... 

What was I thinking? How in the heck do I take 4 1/2 months spent all over the place in Australia and choose only 16 photos? I just had a brilliant idea, maybe every 3 months I'll change up the photos... ya, that sounds like an awesome idea!

Play Time

Things around here are staring to get back to normal, as normal as it ever was in my world, but with a few changes. I've never had Abbie shaved, I mean totally shaved, but it had to be done. While I was away in Australia she never visited her favorite store, nor did she get her scheduled cut so she was matted, poor thing. Now she's as happy as ever, mind you so am I. This new look is going to eliminate the shedding and amount of time spent vacuuming...which leaves more time for play.

Game on... let's play!

Faith

There's much to be said about faith, without faith I would not be nearing the end of my educational journey, I would not have been to Australia, nor would I be where I'm at in life today. 

I now fully understand what "Faith without works is dead" means. Today I try to keep the faith, but without taking the necessary actions to back up my faith nothing will change. As I once heard "If nothing changes, nothing changes." 

So bring it on big ole beautiful world, help me to be the change I want to see in this world, as Gandhi said.

Ducks

What a blessing today has been, I was up with the birds and headed over to spend the day and night with Elyssa. We watched some of her shows, played for a while and she decided to take a bit of a break. 

This afternoon we decided to head out for a walk, we were in search of ducks. Elyssa loves ducks! 

After walking for a while Elyssa stopped to sit...

We continued on our quest, then rocks became her primary interest. First is was picking up rocks, then it was sitting on the large rocks (I didn't mind one bit, this made for an amazing photo opportunity!)

... and because I was away for such a lengthy period of time, and I'm having such a hard time deciding which one to post, I'm going to post one more of Elyssa, my precious adorable granddaughter who means the world to me.

Oh right... eventually we found the ducks we were in search of. There's a mother and 8 ducklings in the man made lake not far from here. Elyssa was in duck heaven.

 

Tonight at bedtime without thinking I told Elyssa it was time to crawl into bed, so crawl on our hands and knees we did all the way down the hall right to her bed!

 Grandchildren are definitely a gift, a wonderful precious gift.

Everything to God in Prayer

There's a hymn I thought of just now when I sat down to post, "What a Friend we have in Jesus," it goes like this:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

(all photos I shot out at Beaumont, Alberta while I was there today, I had my grad photos done and I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out!)

My City

It's amazing how I'm seeing Edmonton through new eyes, after being away for 4 1/2 months everything looks different, I'm seeing more beauty. Is it because everything is green and flowers are blossoming? Or am I seeing things through different eyes? I'm not sure, but what I am sure of is Edmonton possesses it's own kind of beauty.

I also spotted an awesome photo opp today, it makes me wonder if this old car was a patrons or if it's parked there to draw attention... either way it's a beautiful old car.

Yup, this is my city and I'm surrounded by beauty. 

(Wait until winter hits us and see what I'm saying then!)

Beauty

I've planted Clematis plants in the past with no luck at all with them. Much to my surprise I planted one last year and it's come back this year and has it's first flower blooming. 

Sometimes it's the simple things in life which make life so beautiful! 

(I'm still having Blogger issues, I cannot respond to any comments but I appreciate all of the kind words shared with me; thank you I read them all. As soon as Blogger fixes this I'll be good as new... I hope!)

Blogger Issues

Does anyone have any idea why I can't respond to the comments left on my posts? I just noticed this tonight on my blog and it's been going on all night. I think that I'm going to let it be for now, I'll get back to this when I'm a wee bit more rested and who knows,  maybe it'll be working again after a good nights sleep.

Sometimes when it rains...

... it pours! What started out as a beautiful sunshiny day turned into a stormy afternoon. The rain pelted down so bad that when I ran from my car into my house my jeans were soaked, and that's about a 2 minute run! 

But as I've heard,  if you wanna see the rainbow you've gotta stand a little rain.

The Tickle Trunk

Do you remember the tickle trunk Mr. Dressup used to have? Herb bought me an antique trunk to store my quilts and whatever else I choose to store in it, for some odd reason it reminds me of Mr. Dressup's tickle trunk. 

I love this old trunk... even if it needs a bit of TLC, it's a beauty!

The trunk has the smell of moth balls in it so we went out and bought some cedar boards and cut them down to fit, hopefully this will take the old moth ball smell out of it. Do they even sell moth balls anymore? Now I'm curious... I'm also curious what people smelled like when they took their clothes out of the trunk to wear! 

... yup the good ole days! 

Amazing!

My children hosted a grad party for me, it was an amazing event! They had been planning this event for a long time now and surprised me with so many different things. The party was held at Fort Edmonton Park, once I arrived I had to catch a train to the party...

I arrived and I was pleasantly surprised, the room they chose, the decorations, the food, everything was phenomenal! 

The children played and had a blast

I don't know how many grandchildren get to attend their "Grammy's" grad party, but I'm so grateful to have such a beautiful granddaughter who was there in full swing. 

My children are amazing, they'd been planning this party for over a year I've learned and they really outdid themselves. From right to left:

Derek my middle child, Elyssa my beautiful granddaughter, her Daddy Shayne (my oldest son), his beautiful wife Sandy, my daughter Michelle and me.

As the party was winding down we left the loft and went to explore, downstairs from where we were there were some amazing old modes of transportation... a fence and a dress didn't stop me! 

Thank you Shayne, Sandy, Derek, Michelle and Elyssa for hosting a party I will treasure for years to come! 

... now maybe, a small maybe, the Masters degree? Well once I get these final two courses out of the way that is. I'll convocate in November, with the trip to Australia I didn't quite do things as planned but as is said sometimes the best plans are no plans.

Preparation

Today I started to prepare for what's about to come tomorrow. The preparation included a trip to get my nails done, there's so many colors to choose from...

I find one of the best things I can do for myself some days is get a pedicure, today was both a pedi and manicure... a bonus day.

I had finally decided to try something new, this polish is called Magnetix. The polish is applied then an actual magnet is used to create the effect, it's so cool. The photo isn't the greatest, it's the best I could do with one hand! lol At least you can get the basic idea...

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, I'll blog about it tomorrow night. 

Cheers. 

New Toy

My contract finally expired on my old mobile phone so the day after I returned from Australia I went out phone shopping, my oldest son and his wife payed for the phone for my Mothers Day/B'day gift, thanks Shayne, Sandy, and Elyssa. 

There's a lot out there to choose from, most of them I don't have a clue how to work but I bit the bullet and got the latest Droid. I have 14 days to decide if this is the phone for me or not, so I guess I'd best figure it out and start playing with it a bit more than I have been.

I spotted this on facebook and thought I'd share it...

... times sure have changed!