Budget... What Budget?

I'm in soooooo much trouble!!!  And it's all my neighbors' fault.  They've been digging new flower beds and called me over to check it out.  They had some real nice sized camellias & rhododendrons along with other beautiful plants.  When I commented on their substantial investment in plants, they told me that Lowe's is having a HALF OFF CLEARANCE.  Oops!  Telling me that the Cheesecake Factory was giving away free slices all day long, as many as you want would have been less damaging (and I absolutely adore cheesecake).  But then, that's what credit cards are for - they delay the pain of instant gratification.  Unfortunately there are still consequences now - I've got to plant my new acquisitions in the ground.  WHY DID I NOT THINK OF THIS BEFORE I LOADED UP THAT CART????????  It's so beyond HOT out, the ground is nothing but a bunch of rocks, and I now have seven new plants to find homes for.  A red camellia, a purple lilac bush that will get 10 feet tall, a purple lilac tree that will get 8' tall, and four purple dwarf lilac bushes that will get 5' tall.  Anyone else get the idea that I like lilacs?  Oh, and there was so much more I wanted to get...... but they were closing and my cart was full.  I was forced to leave the jasmine, honeysuckle, rhodies, & so many more behind.  Despite the unwanted chore of making a place for them, I'm afraid I don't have the willpower necessary to stay away from Lowe's.  I'll most likely be back there on Sunday looking for more treasures, limping and sore from finding homes for the seven I brought home tonight.

The absolute COOLEST thing happened today!

I was out watering the flowers on my deck and a hummingbird chose to ignore me and drink from the feeder barely a foot away from me.  In all the years I've had feeders out & had the little guys visiting me, I've never been closer than 10 feet to one.  It was amazingly cool to see him so close!  He was half the size of my thumb, all iridescent green with a bright poppy red patch, and he had a tongue.  I didn't know that they had tongues.  I just always thought they used their beak as a straw.  But nope, he licked up a couple of spilled liquid drops off of the feeder.  Took his time eating and acted like I wasn't even there.  Definitely an experience I won't forget.

Home

It's a beautiful sunny day outside.  Cold, but lovely to view through the windows of my nice warm house.  My house.  It feels so good to say those words and this is home - my home more than anywhere else I've lived.  A good friend asked me yesterday how I was, if I was meeting people, etc.  I think I surprised us both a bit when I answered that I'm content just to be at home.  I think "content" is the best word for me now.  I feel like a cat curled up in its master's lap, belly full of milk, and purring.  I'm so happy that God has given me this beautiful home and land.  For now, I just want to curl up and enjoy it.

First Time Home Buyer - Me

Buying a house is stressful.  Buying a house while living with your mother who wants to know and report every detail to the world is insane!  If the stress doesn't let up, I figure my eyelashes will start falling out again -- oh joy.


I keep praying that Mom finds a job and I find a house before both of us are carted away to the loony bin. They'd probably make us roommates!


I know it will all work out.  I just wish the working out part wasn't so stressful.

They Don't Make Them Like This In California

The radio is blaring in the bathroom.  The overhead fan is going.  The light is on.  Maverick is whining.  


Out in the garage another radio hollers loudly. The lights are on there too.  Rocco is barking pitifully and Toby is crying.


Everyone has had a chill pill.  They don't seem to be all that effective today.


So, we repeat a scene that is becoming all too familiar...
I will get Rocco and Toby and they will join Maverick in the bathroom where all three will huddle until the scary thunderstorm is over.