Just A Few More Hours . . .

and I'm getting on a plane to go see these girls! We've been waiting over a year for this trip and I can't believe it's finally here! It's going to be great. So much has happened to us over the last year, especially the last 5 months. Let's just hope the length of time between our next visit is not so long! Get ready gals - here I come!

Memorial Day

Before you head out to enjoy your barbecue today, let us not forget those that gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our freedom.



. . .especially the women!

Enjoy your holiday and thank you to all those who serve!

In Search of Zen or Just Peace Amid the Chaos!

So in the midst of the chaos that is my life right now, especially the front and back landscaping, I was feeling a little overwhelmed yesterday and in need of some outdoor therapy. Seriously, I think I was channeling Colleen as this was the exact type of day that she was at her happiest puttering in her garden. After all, who could blame me; the flowers at the nursery were just too beautiful to pass up.

All of the planters are currently dug up and awaiting either bricks to be built around them or concrete, so planting in them is not an option right now. I opted to create a little Zen garden of my own in the front patio. I think I have all my bases covered:

Lots of gorgeous flowers
An herb garden

Mr. Mark even got into the act because according to him, “it’s not the beginning of summer with out planting tomatoes”! I also love that he bought me some fennel because he knows how much I love licorice.

The best part is that I can come out and enjoy my creation. Hmm, better remember to pick up some more wine so I can truly enjoy it tonight!

Oh, and Laura just in case you were wondering, Mr. Flamingo thinks the view from our patio is much better than the view from a balcony in Omaha so he plans to stay put – thank you very much!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer around here. Typically it means we stay home and do some sort of home improvement project and this year is no exception!



Yes, we have decided to tackle our landscaping. Over the years we have done things piecemeal and never really had the yard fixed up the way we would like.

Here comes Nate to the rescue!



Nate is an old family friend from the neighborhood that now has a successful construction operation. He is one of the hardest workers I know, and has graciously offered to help us get our yard in shape. So on his weekend off he is spearheading a crew of landscapers to turn this mess of a yard into as he puts it “will host a kick ass party later this summer!”

There will be a retaining wall put in to hold back the hill of ice plant from growing into the lawn. For those of you non-Californians, ice plant is a succulent that grows well on hillsides and is a great fire deterrent.
New sprinklers are being installed as well as concrete slabs on both sides of the house. We are trying to be environmentally sensitive as California, especially Southern California, is in the midst of a terrible drought. Our backyard is at a slightly higher elevation than the front and so we are having a “French drain” installed under the concrete which will allow any excess water from the back to flow out to the front. Who knew the French were so clever??
There are a few remnants of the old yard that will stay and a few new ones to brighten up the new landscape.


The hardest part for the workers so far has been the combination of rocky soil and the massive tree roots from our ash tree. Hard to believe that tree is only 12 years old.
But, truly, the best part of this whole project is that I am paying someone else to do this back breaking job.

Don't Hate Me - I Love Jack Bauer

I just realized I forgot to post the picture of me snuggled up in my new afghan! I was so excited to have it to hold onto and snuggle in while watching my buddy, Jack!



Thank again, Alex!

So Touched!

I cannot even begin to tell you how touched I was tonight when I got home. My friend, Alex Lundgren from http://www.houseofpaper/ whom I have never met in real life has orchestrated the most touching gift to be delivered to my door. Check this out: This awesome crocheted afghan arrived in a box with this note:


After having visited the website http://heartmadeblessings.org/ I found out that this wonderful organization is a not-for-profit, world-wide group of volunteers dedicated to providing hand-crafted items to those people suffering a loss, tragedy, or going through a rough time that need to be reminded of the simple fact that people care.
There are wonderful people who donate squares for afghans, like this gorgeous one I received. Dear, sweet Alex assembled mine and it is nothing short of a true “blessing” at such a trying time for me at the moment.
Now for the really important stuff that matters - check me out all bundled up and snuggled up ready to watch Jack Bauer! A very special thank you to these wonderful women for bringing this wonderful bit of comfort into my life:

Alexandra Lundgren

Sandy Lewis

Christal Groves

Donna Melton

Phyllis Glaz

Joan Biddulph

I may have to learn how to crochet so I can join this wonderful organization. This is just such an awesome act of kindness. I am speechless. Off to snuggle in my new and very comfortable afghan!

If You Read Only 1 Book

this year than this is the book it needs to be - The Help by Kathryn Stockett. An absolutely wonderful tale set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960's. Warwick's hosted an overflow capacity crowd event last night. Susie and I have been looking forward to this book event for months ever since we finished the advance galley copies sent by the publisher. I passed the book on as soon as I was done to my mom who loved it as well and she passed it to many of her friends. When I found out Warwick's was fortunate enough to have Kathryn coming I told mom she had to come. Her lovely friend, Pat Corless who had read the book volunteered to drive her down and attend the event with her. Sadly, that visit was not to be, however mom was with us in spirit. Susie outdid herself by announcing at the beginning of the night that the event would be dedicated to a voracious reader and lover of The Help who couldn't attend - none other than mom herself. Susie had a chair front and center in mom's honor and asked me to sit in it for the program. I was touched beyond words.

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The event also drew out Nancy Warwick the owner of the store who does not attend many events, but like so many of us found the book to be so phenomnal. Nancy is to my left in the group photo.

Octavia Spencer is a close personal friend of Kathryn's and the inspiration for the character Minny. It was a special treat to have her read several excerpts from the book. She is a very accomplihed actress - check out her manycredits on http://www.imdb.com/ - just searh by her name!

Gracious and kind does not even begin to describe Kathryn. She is the epitome of Southern grace and charm all rolled up in the tiniest of packages. Kathryn assured the audience that there s another book coming. I, for one, can hardly wait.