Paige and I worked in the front and back yard all, and I repeat, ALL day today. I trimmed all of the rose bushes in the backyard as well as anything else that needed trimming. I planted that Gerber daisy that I had at my office temporarily. Weeded. Weeded. And will still be weeding more tomorrow. That was just the back yard. The front yard is a different story. I trimmed all of the lantanas that were beyond the point of needing a trim. I had to rake out underneath them all. I planted a tree like item that we dug up from my mom's house that she didn't want. Not sure exactly what it is yet. I finished up the little white picket fence along the main walkway and mulched it heavily. Deadheaded all of my petunias and snapdragons. Snatched up a few of the weeds that had started to grow.Carried all of the debris to the front of the house and made a pile for bulk trash pick up starting Monday. I probably bored you with all of the details, but this is why I won't be able to walk tomorrow, in case you ask. :)

It was a great day and Paige was right there with me. She laid at the front of the house like a good girl with no leash. Even remained when two little dogs went by with their owner. At one point, I laid down on the concrete sidewalk to rest and she got up and sauntered over and laid down right at my head. Hers touching mine ever so slightly. Anthropomorphic or not, moments like those are priceless. It was like she was saying, "Life is good mom, life is good." And you know what? She is right.

She looks like she is in trouble, but she really just hates having her picture taken.

Mom is right, she does look like she's smiling in this one. :)

Work in Progress

I've just came across a bunch of realizations about art recently. None that I will get into right now, but perhaps some of these revelations will help me out of my creative rut. I started this picture, I should say I forced this picture into life to help me out of my rut. Just do it! Right? Isn't that what people say. Just start.

Well, I started. And it's not too bad. But then as I continued I began to hate it.

And then even more. Which is why it is sitting face down in the bird room waiting patiently until I just finish it and put it out of its misery. Which I will. Because I hate leaving things undone.

It is for a friend of mine, and I need not worry that I will spoil the surprise because she never checks my blog no matter how much I would like her to. Heavy Sigh.

Makeup Newsflash!

Alright ladies, there is only one thing I love more than CLEAN SHEET NIGHT, and that's new makeup purchases that leave your old used up bottles in the dust.

I recently ran out of foundation and started to use an old one I had laying around. There is a reason why it was laying around, but it wasn't until I ran out of concealer on top of it that I figured I'd better get some more of both. I was watching TV and saw and ad for this 24 hour staying foundation and thought "good grief! that would be fabulous!"

A little something about me. After lunch, I always touch up my makeup in the bathroom before I start the second half of my day. I also carry a small bottle of BBW spray with me to revamp the senses. I can thank good ol' Norma from Valley National Bank/Bank One. She was a teller that I worked with who had legs like a gazelle and always freshened up after lunch and came back smelling so good. I've never forgotten that and somewhere along the line I incorporated the same ritual. If you don't already, try it. It will energize you for the rest of the day.

So, here it is. I have been wearing it now for about a week and I must say, I'm hooked. I bought the concealer and have noticed that I don't have the bags at lunch like I used to. They are still hidden below and out of sight when I used this product.
Next is the foundation. Be sure to apply it to your jaw in the store and see how it sits on you. Put it on and then finish your shopping and come back and see what looks best. I say this, because I applied it to my wrist, two different shades, and went with the lighter one. Then I went back and applied it to my jaw and finished my shopping. I liked the darker one better on my face than I did on my wrist. So try it on your jawbone and then make your decision.
I still apply powder because I do not like a shiny face. But I noticed today that all I needed to do to freshen up was touch up my powder to some oily spots and layer on the chap stick to moisten my lips. For lipstick, I love the L'oreal Infallible Never Fail Compact. It stays on all day and all I have to do is put my chap stick on to keep them moist looking.

Voila! Happy primping!

Breathe a Little Easier

I love my office. As much as you can love a place you spend most of your life at. When we remodeled the office, I was fortunate enough to get the same exact place that I had before. And I'm so glad I did. I am one of the few that have a window. Sure, it may face the back yard of the shop, but at least it's not four walls. You may remember an earlier post about the hummingbird feeder I put up outside my window. It's a miracle that they come, but those little birds found it and come every single day. It is my favorite part of the day, watching them.

When I got back into my new office, I put a lot of thought into what kind of ambiance I wanted to project and work in. I brought in several candles to be able to change with my mood, I have a picture that I change out on my desk of all the fun things that D and I do. And the important part is to keep all the old pictures in there so I can go back through and change them up if I need too. It's a reminder of all the fun we've had and will have. Lastly, I bought a plant. Now, this was in the beginning stages of the green phenomenon took over my life.

It started with one. Then another was given as a gift. Then another caught my eye at Home Depot or Fry's, etc. You get the point. Before you know it, I have plants all over. I have the Christmas cactus that was given last year, one of several African violets that I have-purchased from the dollar store, and several more. The dollar store is a great place to get plants if you have a little bit of knowledge and know how to kill those tiny gnats they sometimes have. But that's a different post for an other time.

Most of them are grouped together, but this one stands alone. It is constantly getting pushed around because my boss will come in to talk to me and put it back so he can lean on my filing cabinet. And then I have to go back and pull it forward again. It's a good sport despite the abuse.

This is my newest. It isn't a permanent one to the group though. D bought this one for me for our anniversary. He surprised me and took me out to lunch as well as bought this beautiful Gerber daisy for a splash of color and cookies for dessert. Gerber's don't seem to do so good inside for me. The last one I bought was on it's way out and for grins I planted it in the "mosh pit" I have in my backyard. A plethora of plants, some put there to rest clinging to a second chance at life, and others that will die back but hopefully return the next season. The other Gerber I had is thriving there and has had several blooms since! Gerber's have the cutest flowers when they are growing. The little flowers come from the base and have their face pointed down. But as they get taller, their little face points upward as if saying "Here I am! Hello!" They are such beautiful plants. This one will join my other Gerber in the mosh pit at home after a bit. But until then, I will enjoy the color and breath a little easier in my office of green.

Vegas Baby!

A month or so overdue, but nonetheless, here is it. Forgive the cliche pictures of Vegas, but hey-it was my first time. Cut me some slack!