A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself.

Today I love:

     

      Chilly weather – all day

      Adding a member to the fam

      Having Fall cleaning almost finished

      Reading

      Friends, friends, friends – thank you thank you

      Hummingbirds

     

     

Tid bits from the homefront:

Everyone has been telling me that I really should open my heart to a dog who needs rescued. Wasn’t ready – wasn’t ready … and then yesterday, Ryan, Jacob and I went to the animal shelter [where Ryan found his beautiful dog, Bristol]. I told them I was not sure if I could even talk with the dogs. But, there she was. A 7- month old black lab. Calm, sweet, strong eyes, and in need of a home. Still not certain if my heart was ready – we came home. Couldn’t stop thinking about her – some may think I’m nuts [and I am happily so], but I’m certain Sam was pushing me. So, back we went before the shelter closed. They will take her to the animal hospital Tuesday to be neutered, and I can pick her up on Wednesday … I am changing her name to Dodge. I decided last week, that if/when I did adopt a new pet, their name would have to be Dodge. The past couple of years have been filled with crazy, and I figure a dog will have to learn quickly how to dodge many things to stay alive and vibrant … maybe

I am so grateful for all of the love and support I have had heaped on me recently … with the loss of Sam, and the adoption of Dodge … couldn’t have done it without all of you … thank you thank you.

Gardening:

It amazes me how quickly things change … the temperature drops 20 degrees and all of the gardens start looking sad. I am starting to move a few plants inside. I think we will have more warm weather to come – Taylor and Caleb want to swim and get some sun. I was excited this morning to see one new yellow rose on the bush – yeah.

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."
- Arabian Proverb

Enjoy each moment …

Until tomorrow xo♥  

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.  ~Author Unknown

Today I love:

     

      Feeling my energy returning

      In less than a week Taylor and Caleb are coming home

      Hearing something funny, and laughing

     

     

Tid bits from the homefront:

I was looking around my home last night … gazing, really … at so many beautiful pieces of art and such; thinking of the lovely humans from whom I received many of them. Last year, as I attempted to really pare down all of my ‘stuff’ – I arrived at a place where nothing else could go … at least not now. Every piece has a thought, a heart, a story. I know I pretty emotional right now – feeling my heart outside of my body, as it looks for its normal feeling; and I am finding myself seeing ‘my stuff’ with a different eye. I take for granted how I love my home and the things in it – though it has been a long time since I really looked at everything and soaked it in. I love how that feels … give it a try. 

Jacob and I have been working on money – making change, etc. So, I pulled out my vase of change the other day and we sorted and counted. I was [more than] thrilled to find that I had over $160.00 … we took it to coinstar today … fun little bonus for this week.

Lewis is perking up a bit … he is beginning to run and play a little bit each day. He is still acting confused and sad – though seeing the light in his eyes today made me feel much better. I may go and get Nora this week – not too sure if I am ready for her energy yet … we shall see.

Gardening:

I was getting spoiled with all of the rain we were having … that is until a few days ago … and now I’m having to water everyday … takes a long time to water all of the gardens. They all seem pretty happy now …

Krista always has the greatest quotes … this made me laugh –

Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.

                                                          ~Dennis Wholey

I love this …

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.  "Pooh!" he whispered.  "Yes, Piglet?"  "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw.  "I just wanted to be sure of you."  ~A.A. Milne

Enjoy each moment …

Until tomorrow xo♥  

Mahatma Gandhi:

Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first skill of self-giving love.

Today I love:

      Being back to school days with Jacob

      Cool Autumn mornings

      looking forward to Taylor and Caleb coming home

      reading

     

Happy Birthday, Taylor … can’t wait to see you next week xxoo

Happy Birthday Sam [the boy] … Hope to see you soon xxoo

Tid bits from the homefront:

It is quite lovely here in the woods this morning. Loving the cool mornings – wrapped in a blanket, drinking coffee on the patio.

My spare time, when I decide to stay home, has been taken up with Fall cleaning … not too crazy about cleaning, though it is good, mindless therapy for me. Being home – used to be my favorite thing … my kids have often called me a hermit. Which I don’t believe I really am – just love being home, creating and working in my gardens. Since losing Sam, I am not so crazy about being home. So I have been spending time working outside of my home, as well as exploring the area in which I have lived for a couple of years … finally starting to find my way around. I guess that is a good thing. Lewis and I take long walks in the many, beautiful cemeteries around us. Coming home is really the worst though. Opening the door to what used to be Sam jumping, so happy to see me … and now I open the door to a quiet kitchen. Not easy. I’m sure it will get better with time. 

Gardening:

The Fall garden is beginning to sprout nicely … hoping it is a couple of months before we have a frost – so the veggies have a chance to grow. The beets are still a no-show … though radishes and peas and beans are growing beautifully. Spearmint is taking on a winter look … still growing – though very slowly. I am still getting tomatoes every day – which I love – and the new plants, that seem to be sprouting everywhere are covered in flowers – I am so hoping they will produce some toms before the season ends.

 Basil 'trees' - everywhere

 beans

 peppers

 radish

new tomato plants - started themselves

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Marianne Williamson

Enjoy each moment …

Until tomorrow xo♥  

It takes no effort to love.

The state has its own innate joy.

- Deepak Chopra

           

Tid bits from the homefront:

I guess I continue to be at a loss for words – which is so strange for me. I am feeling a bit better – though the loneliness without Sam is pretty uncomfortable. Working at the Learning Center has helped so much. There is no way one could remain sad or feeling the loss – when surrounded by all of the little, smiling darlings. So grateful.

Gardening:

Fall garden ‘stuff’ is starting to sprout … beans, lettuce, spinach, radishes … not seeing the cauliflower or beets yet …  I am sure they are not far behind.

Sam has a lovely resting place … candle burning 24-7 … how I miss him.

To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends
To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived
That is to have succeeded
         -Unknown

Enjoy each moment …

Until tomorrow xo♥