Finally got the XMas tree almost down.. I took the decorations off weeks ago, but the half of the lights decided to go out before Christmas.. As we bought a fake tree in 2003, I was dreading this moment. The lights are wrapped around every single limb, which is fine by me, that's the way mom and I have always done it. But on a fake Christmas tree, they also have every limb attached with these annoying clips as seen in the picture. 1000 lights and 1000 clips.. It is taking me forever to unclip those. Not only that, but at the end of every branch, they have plastic ties..  Now I have to figure out which bulbs are truly burnt out, to try and make as many working light strands as I can for next year.

I figure that since I have to restring lights next year, I will actually buy a real tree next year. It is actually more environmentally friendly, as I learned this year. Tree farms plant more trees than are used, which in turn helps out our environment.... Fake trees take oil (that we are in desperate need of already) to make them. I can't believe how annoying this has been!!! Besides that I miss the smell of a real tree. Hanging the automotive scented pine trees meant for cars just isn't working anymore.. Just doesn't smell the same.. Just kidding.. I have never done that.. but that would make for a beautiful tree now, wouldn't it? LOL!!!!

Missed Christmas

 Not sure why this Christmas was so hard to be away from you all. I am sure it is due to Dad not being around this year.  Most likely, as I have lost it a couple of time this last week.May be due to mom, sending me a picture of Dad and I, or Joyce sending me Dad's Poem with his picture on it.  Love and miss you so much Dad. By the way.. here is the site for Dad's memoration page.... http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=52605252

As I mentioned months ago, I invite you to scan/email/and post pics you have of dad on this site... Love and miss you so much dad.. Wish we could have had more time together. I know that I was/am a disappointment to you, but thru it all, you were my hero..

By the way Dad. You always said that you wished that you had my hair. Well guess what. You always did. My head of hair is too fine as well, and can't do a damn thing with it, just as you alway's complained about.

I am finding it funny, how much we have in common. Complaining about the stupid commercials, etc... I am begging you to come visit me very soon.

A Ghost or Wierd Freaky Things

So Matt and I were sitting downstairs one morning last week, and hear this crash and breaking glass, as if a picture fell of the wall. (and we don't have many pictures hanging) We searched the whole house, and found nothing indoors or out, so went about our way as if we were hearing something. Next day, Matt was taking a shower and weighing himself on the scale, as he does every morning, only to find that the inside pane or our dual windows had broken. We don't know how it happened. The window company came out and couldn't quite explain how it happened either.

Thanks goodness, it is still covered by the Warranty. Nothing better than free replacements. Especially since most things only break, right after they are covered under the one year warranty.

I know.. What a small and stupid thing to post about, but feel that I have been distant and need to get back on the blog train.

Uhhhhh.. Jolyn Tilley, Nicole Bigelow, Stephanie, Julie and others who have been away for a year, or almost a year.. Pathetic of us.. Hop on the train and climb aboard.

The Neighborhood Garden

I posted these on facebook, but here are the pictures of our Neighboorhood Drought Tolerant Garden at the park, that I posted about back in July. Thought it would take years to get done, but lo and behold.. the redtape was a little faster this time. Obviously it will grow in over a long period of time, but pretty nice to see the artwork and plants, versus a big old empty hole of dirt. Most of the artwork was made from recycled materials.

One piece of artwork was a whole lotta soda cans crunched up inside a rectangular piece of enclosed plastic (about 6ft x 3ft x 3ft) But go figure, it was stolen within a week. Most likely from the homeless who were trying to collect cans for food, or most likely alcohol to drown their sorrows away. (Been there, done that) way too many times.

This last piece of artwork lights up at night, via solar power.. kind of cool.

Drought Tolerant Front Yard

Here is our new drought tolerant front yard..(First three pictures)  Couldn't get anything to grow out front, and so with our visits to Scottsdale Arizona, we decided to go with Cactus, instead of the Tropical Feel.. we love Arizona. Funny how cactus can be so beautiful! It also helped that our friend who introduced us to vacationing in Scottsdale, was re-landscaping his backyard and getting rid of some of his cactus for free! So it boosted me to go for it!

I would have liked to have gotten some taller plants, but they are a little expensive, so we just went small. I know they don't need a lot of water, but from what I understand, those you want to grow faster, you water more. So that's what I have been trying to do.

I got the large rocks from the mountains about 45 minutes away. I was delivering a file to one of my agents up in the farm/mountain country, and noticed rocks that had fallen down the mountain onto the side of the road. So now everytime I deliver a file to her, I pick up a few more. I feel like I am stealing, so every time a car comes up the hill, I pretend to be looking at my tires. How silly is that. She says, "You are silly, we all do it".

 I have been looking for my favorite tree from Arizona, which is the Palo Verde Tree. But can only find them here about 3 feet tall unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for a taller one.

Fourth picture here is our attempt to transform the backyard... Will eventually get done.. Trying to pay cash for all these plants, and not a lot of that to go around. These days, we live on the darn credit cards. Not sure why but luckily, my credit card has been 0% interest for the last two years.. so SHHHHHHH.. don't tell anyone. I personally think its a fluke and they just haven't caught it yet.. But I aint' saying notin.


Regarding my previous post of the drought tolerant Neighborhood Garden. I thought it would be years away, but it turns out that it will be completed on October 2nd.. YeeHAA!! Of course, pics will come.

Well anyhow, regarding blogspot, It seems as though they have tried to improve the moving around of pictures and text, but as always, it just ain't working for me.