So...the national news is saying we Northeasters got slammed with a Nor'Easter. At 7:30 this morning there was about one inch of snow on the walkway. When I left the house at 9:45 a.m. the walk was clear but there was a little snow on the windshield of the car. By noon it was sprinkling. This is my kind of Nor'Easter!!!
It is still cold, but a survey of the garden yesterday showed small green shoots poking out of the mulch and there are new shoots on the rose bush. It looks like both of the Rose of Sharons are getting buds on the stems and the daisy bushes are showing new growth. I am holding my breath for the large face hibiscus. I have never had them before and am not sure how they come back. I did cut them back just as the nursery pro told me to so I guess it's a case of "wait and see." I am so ready to get busy planting the flower boxes and the pots. It isn't really spring until I get my hands in the dirt.
There is a new Homegoods store in Chelsea, only a couple of towns away. This is a GREAT store for fancy pots and plant stands. The prices are so good. The pots look very high-end but the price is a bargain! I bought this great fish pot and can't wait to fill it with plants. I want to top seed the lawn when there is no more chance of a freeze. I have had it with winter. Snow, slush, wind and all that comes with it! Punxsutawney Phil saw no shadow when he stuck his little nose out of his burrow and I, for one, am holding him to his word! Bring on the sun!
I am headed out to Washington state for Easter. Jerry's birthday is the 23rd, as is our wedding anniversary. He thought it might be a good idea for me to be away from here for that day. I think he's right. It will be a tough day no matter what, but if I am not sitting here surrounded by Tom's things and all the memory triggers, it will be a lot better. So we are going to go up to Vancouver, BC for the weekend. It has been years since I was there last. The kids and I were here when they were 6 and 7! Jerry, Josh and I may even go zip-lining at Grouse Mountain! That's the plan anyway. We will have to see where my courage level is on that day.
It has been warm enough for the puppies to have a few good beach runs. Brewski was playing a little too close to the shore one day when the waves were a bit rough and he got smacked in the rear by a wave. That little dog jumped four feet in the air! He has not gone near the water's edge since. And I had planned to teach him to swim this summer!
Well it's a week or so later and although the sun has been out, the temperature has not gotten above 45 degrees. I try to get a few things done in the yard, but the ocean wind makes my hands freeze after a few minutes. I checked out the home stores, Lowes and Home Depot and they still do not have a good selection of annuals. Guess I will wait until after I get back from vacation to really do the yard. Besides, the girls will have their have heir hands full caring for the dogs,I don't need a bunch of young plantings to add to their responsibilities.
I took a little road trip with a good friend last week. We went to a "bead show" in Seekonk, RI. I had given away all my beading materials as my hands did not want to cooperate with the small beads any more. But I have discovered Polymor clay and can make beads that are easier to handle. I had never been to a bed show before and was awestruck at a room full of color, texture and ideas. I found some beads to add to the necklace Tom had bought for me and a few things I could use with the clay pieces I am making. But he most fun came from watching my friend shop. She does beautiful work with semi-precious stones and pearls. Her work is much more hi-end than mine ever was. Five hours later we were off to eat and then head home. Here is a link to her on-line store: www.artfire.com/users/4evadorn . I hope you take a moment to just look at the beauty of her work.
Well, better get this posted and get my day started. God bless you all and may all your days be full of tulips and daffadils!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Life at Seagull Cottage Changes Forever
I was so happy last December writing down the happenings here in our little corner of the world. Life was good. We had a speed bump coming up, but, we had made it over them before. Speed bumps are nothing compared to the sinkhole I fell into December 15th.
"Bye, honey! See you in six hours," I say, "OK, bring me a pizza," he says, "Sure I will, honey", I reply. Those were our last words the morning of December 14th as I dropped Tom off for his valve replacement. Jessica, our oldest grand daughter, had arrived the night before and was home catching up on some sleep. She was going to help me when Tom came home. I went home, curled up on the sofa with the puppies and dozed off. The phone rang five hours later, but it was not the news I was waiting for. There were complications and the team was working to fix the problem. The surgery lasted 15 hours and there was no way he could catch up with the stress that had been put on his body. I said goodbye to my precious BearPaws the next day.
Now 60 days later I am trying to make some sense out of my life and trying to do all the things Tom would have wanted me to do. The best part of all this is the support from family and friends.
Jessica made the decision to stay here in New England, get a job and try out having an adult life away from her parents. Let me tell you, she's doing great. I don't know if living with this Ol'lady is different than with her folks, but she has made some good choices and seems to be fitting in nicely. She got a job at Target right here in Revere. Training for an assistant manager position was not what she had planned to do, however, the opportunity arose and so far so good. Target gives great training and she is learning each step before she progresses to the next. This will be a real job, complete with benefits! She has about 8 weeks left in her program before the raise and benefits kick in. Working so close to home (all of a five minute commute)is great for her. She uses the Edge to get to and from work so I figure she will go through about 3/4's of a tank of gas a month! I told her to get a bike in the spring.
We have had a record cold winter this year, with a heck of a lot of snow. But we made it through with just a few bruises. Friends and family from all over have brought me great comfort in the past few months. I am not real sure as to what my future holds for me. I don't know which of the many options I will pursue,. What I do know is that I have a circle of wonderful people around me who will help in the decision.
So long for now and all our love and thanks to all of you being a part of my life!
"Bye, honey! See you in six hours," I say, "OK, bring me a pizza," he says, "Sure I will, honey", I reply. Those were our last words the morning of December 14th as I dropped Tom off for his valve replacement. Jessica, our oldest grand daughter, had arrived the night before and was home catching up on some sleep. She was going to help me when Tom came home. I went home, curled up on the sofa with the puppies and dozed off. The phone rang five hours later, but it was not the news I was waiting for. There were complications and the team was working to fix the problem. The surgery lasted 15 hours and there was no way he could catch up with the stress that had been put on his body. I said goodbye to my precious BearPaws the next day.
Now 60 days later I am trying to make some sense out of my life and trying to do all the things Tom would have wanted me to do. The best part of all this is the support from family and friends.
Jessica made the decision to stay here in New England, get a job and try out having an adult life away from her parents. Let me tell you, she's doing great. I don't know if living with this Ol'lady is different than with her folks, but she has made some good choices and seems to be fitting in nicely. She got a job at Target right here in Revere. Training for an assistant manager position was not what she had planned to do, however, the opportunity arose and so far so good. Target gives great training and she is learning each step before she progresses to the next. This will be a real job, complete with benefits! She has about 8 weeks left in her program before the raise and benefits kick in. Working so close to home (all of a five minute commute)is great for her. She uses the Edge to get to and from work so I figure she will go through about 3/4's of a tank of gas a month! I told her to get a bike in the spring.
We have had a record cold winter this year, with a heck of a lot of snow. But we made it through with just a few bruises. Friends and family from all over have brought me great comfort in the past few months. I am not real sure as to what my future holds for me. I don't know which of the many options I will pursue,. What I do know is that I have a circle of wonderful people around me who will help in the decision.
So long for now and all our love and thanks to all of you being a part of my life!
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