Storm at Sea

My blog is giving me fits since my computer crashed.  I can't find photos that I take with my phone on my computer.  GRRRRRR!

I received my pay it forward gift from Nancy Stevens last week.  I am going to try and post a photo in this post...let's keep our fingers crossed!

Well, it's certainly not as easy as it used to be, but I figured a way!

On the left is the quilt block Nancy sent me, on the right is the letter that accompanied the block. 

Thank you so much, Nancy!  I love the block and I will treasure both the block and the letter you sent.

I haven't figured out as yet just where I am going to display this beautiful gift of love, but it will be where I can see it every day.  Not sure yet whether it will be in my sewing haven or in my bedroom.

-Helen

Nancy's heart is full of love

I have an unmet friend, her name is Nancy; she's a long-time friend of my back-door neighbor.  I am going to meet her one day, hopefully soon!  I am a follower of her blog, Blogging, Near Philadelphia.  She has a heart of gold.

She offered a Pay It Forward challenge which I jumped in on!  If you signed up on her Facebook post to receive a gift from her within the year, you had to offer the same deal to your friends.  I signed up and got my three folks who signed up on my post.  Giving of yourself, sharing your love...that's what this world should be about.

I received this gift from Nancy today and I'm so pleased, touched and filled with joy. 

I'm having some blogger problems, so the photos of my treasure will have to wait until tomorrow. 

For tonight, goodnight.

-H

Cranky with Lavanila purchase

I purchased Lavanila cologne for our granddaughter's birthday that is TOMORROW.  I purchased this on May 25 and it's not here yet.  I've tried tracking and the tracking links don't work for some reason.  I emailed the company and told them my issue and they checked "their" tracking and said it would be delivered on June 9.  I checked my tracking site and it agreed, now.  Evidently they did something to update the tracking information.

I still don't have the package.  I wrote to the company two more times, but no reply.  Grrrr.  The tracking site said it's at my local post office, so I will call there soon and see what I need to do.

I don't think Evelyn's gift is going to be here on time and that makes me very sad.

We are still sheltering in place as much as possible.  This COVID-19 is a scary thing.  Florida, Arizona and Arkansas are having big spikes in their number of cases.  People partied over the Memorial Day weekend and evidently weren't social distancing and being careful.  I wear my mask anytime I'm at a store (which isn't often at all) or to pick up takeout food or a grocery pickup.

We have subscribed to Hello Fresh and we are enjoying it.  Last night I prepared Pork Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pasta.  Rick is usually unwilling to try new recipes, but this seems to be good for him.  Here's our dinner:

It was delicious and we have leftovers!!

-H

Computer crashed!

Well, my computer crashed!  I was going to send it to my son-in-law to take care of it, but he assured me I could do it myself...and I did!

I read two blogs religiously.  Every time I went to the first one, my computer always froze up.  I didn't think much of it, but one day the computer gave me some error message and it wouldn't open without taking drastic steps.

While doing without my laptop, I still visited my two blogs.  I got a message that there had been FOUR problems with the site in the short time I was reading.  Sadly, I don't go to that blog anymore and I miss it.  I need to write to the woman who runs the blog, but I don't want to accuse her of anything, but if she's having a problem with her site, I think she should know.  Must write a carefully-worded message.

Rick is doing well...still using oxygen while at home and when he's walking the dog, he carries his pulse ox and keeps track of his oxygen level and his heart rate.  His bp is not staying stable, so he is taking his bp daily and keeping a log.  He has cut one of his meds by half (dr. order) and if it's not right, we will (with dr. permission) cut the other med dosage in half.

I've got a big outdoor project I'm working on.  I started taking sod off the hill by the side street (cause it's difficult to mow the incline).  I started the project -- it's probably 75 feet of property.  I scored the entire length and started removing the sod.  I thought I was going to die!  My shoulder was hurting, my body cramped beyond tolerable levels and I only did about 5 or 6 feet.  We called Handy Man Mike and he agreed to do it for us.  He finished up the sod removal today and I got the ground covered with landscape cloth.  Tomorrow I will begin planting hostas.  I have close to 200 in the carport awaiting a new home.  I think my sister is going to come and help.  A photo of what's been accomplished so far:

Looking for new neighbors

Looking for a place to call home?  The house just across the little side street from us is for sale.

It's a 2 story house with a detached garage.  It's a wonderful neighborhood and we would love to have nice people move in.

Our beautiful yard

What a wonderful Friday and weekend!!  We worked in the yard -- Friday, Rick and I mowed the grass and tidyed up the  yard.  I went to Menard's (very pleased that they require you wear masks the WHOLE time you are on their property!).  I bought stepping stones for the garden area.  I placed those and like them a lot -- makes it easier to get to the electrical outlet and to do what needs done in that area.

I planted all the New Guinea Impatiens in their new homes for this year.  I transplanted a few hostas from the front of the house (they were doing a slow death there) to the new area by the stepping stones.   While planting, who did I find???  A dark-colored TOAD!  He took me by surprise, but I "guided" him to the myrtle while I did my planting.  I am making him a little "toad house" so he has a place to shelter.

I bought two boxwood shrubs and planted them in the front of the house.  I hope they can thrive there, not much grows well in that area, but I have felt for a long time that we needed a couple of shrubs.

I bought a new Oriole feeder -- you put grape jelly in it!  I have it hanging in the Japanese Koosa tree in the front yard.  We can see it from our deck.  I also hung a suet feeder and put 2 mandarin orange halves in it.  Hope it draws some colorful visitors to our yard.

I've put several photos of our yard:

Fun day

I went to Menard's today.  They won't allow you in the store without a mask.  They won't allow you to be on their property without a mask.  I was pleased about their efforts to keep their employees and customers safe.

I bought 5 patio stones to put into my garden.  I got them installed and I think they look good and they are very helpful when I need to get into the bed to weed or get to the electrical outlet.

I transplanted hostas along the fence on the north side of the house.  I pulled some weeds and it all looks pretty nice.  I still have to plant the New Guinea Impatiens in the pots in front of the house.  I bought new potting soil while at Menard's and will do that when the weather is nice again.  I believe we are supposed to have thunder storms tomorrow, so I might have to wait until Saturday.

Here is an in-progress photo of the New York Beauty that I've been working on.  I want to so another one just like this so that I can put them in the front window.

-H