A bolt of lightning, and a clap of thunder, was frightening!! It seemed “in my backyard.”  Our first day of a week of Winter.

…it’s off to work I go!!

However, the wind quickly “told” me I didn’t want to be outdoors!! The bright sunshine is deceiving. The weather forecast advises “winter” for the next week so I planned on another day in the yard (preparing for yard sale). ~~ Changing the subject: I’m glad I don’t have a dog. As I’m sitting at the computer, looking out the windows, I see folks walking their dog(s). Bur-r-r-r.

Very unexpected, I walked into the opportunity to start another “yard sale” project. Two days ago, I dismantled a “bottle tree.” The bottles and vases were extremely dirty (two years accumulation) and I planned to wash them before offered for sale. “Unexpected opportunity”  because the neighbor was doing laundry when I went to the refrigerator/freezer. (Left-overs and “too spicy” to add to kettle of beans being prepared for this “winter week.”) As the washer discharged, I was able to “wash” bottles and vases in warm soapy water. (Otherwise, only cold water to that sink.) I feel rather smug about completing another project on a chilly day in the comfort of the laundry room!! ~~ Sixty-five degrees outdoors as I publish this at 1:40 PM.

Tomorrow….

 In-the-ground plants getting ready to bloom. Happy to see first Azalea. 

Raked more leaves; poisoned many ant hills. Visited with neighbors….

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All the ingredients mixed (but not cooked). The broth is still “spicy” but somewhat diluted. Months ago, I bought “medium salsa” but it was “too hot” for this old lady. Hopefully “just right” when beans are cooked?!

Seriously, I was going to get some exercise–and accomplish another task. Not evident while looking out the window, but outdoors I determined too windy to burn leaves, limbs, and old income tax records. Earlier I was “sifting” but not ashes!! Sifting through records on Ancestry.com. Question: Am I the only person who cares about accurate documentation? So much “mis-information”!! (Hey, the “sources” are out there [on Ancestry]; it just requires some research.)

Sandwiched between nine and two, before I was too weary to travel, I drove into Livingston for some much-needed groceries. Also a stop at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for a ceiling fan. My nasty landlady accused me of “stealing the light” in the laundry room. “No,”  I hired a man to repair the fan and he never completed the task. Hence, a replacement fixture. Landlady’s son-in-law said he would install if I purchased another….

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding….” My Heavenly Father is so good to me!! A new/used garden hose at my doorstep when I arrived home. Only yesterday, the old garden hose disintegrated where attached to the faucet. Facing a move, and selling all my lawn and garden… I didn’t want to buy a new hose. Miraculously, a replacement!!

A very dear lady-friend, former neighbor (before I was evicted from the CARE Center) is now in a convalescent home. Her family requested I retrieve the “bottle tree”  I set up in her yard (facing the heavily traveled street). She loved it–especially at Christmas!! No imposition.

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Trimmed, washed, fed, and loved. Hopefully someone else will give them tender loving care. I tell them that “Mama” loves them but can’t move them.

…I’d drive into Livingston for some “comfort food.”

I’m pushing myself to get lots of things done while we have nice weather. Another cold, rainy, week predicted. Today I raked leaves, swept patio and carport, and hosed patio and carport. Always “shifting” items to the yard sale area. There are two areas with lots of free items

Happy Birthday to very special family members!!

…I’d drive into Livingston for some “comfort food.”       Hours in the yard wore me out!!

<<< A few days ago, it looked like this.

“Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.”