“Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway.” —Mother Theresa

Hello!

I made a card for my mom for St. Patrick's Day.

Not a traditional one, but she loved it anyway!

 And the inside:

There, now you can get on with your day!

I have one crocus blooming, might be all I have, so I'm sure Spring is right around the corner!

Kalen dug out the end rose bush, and planted butterfly bush in it's place.
The rose is in 2 big pots, and will go to a friend!

Last time Kalen was home, I was only good for every second day of yard work!
I got a shot in my knee last week, and I've been doing pretty good.
I can go up and down the stairs, put my leg in my pants, and get my leg over the quad seat!
It's the little things people!
I am now on the list for a knee replacement; wait time is 2
 years!

I got this picture of the pheasant on top of the tipped over stump in the back yard.

I guess Kalen is not the only one who thinks it's 'cool'!

Our neighbor to the north has one tree in his yard.
These are his leaves!

I'll have to go finish raking, as the leaves were still frozen to the ground behind the sheds!

There's pussy willows at my moms.

 I made cards yesterday as mother nature was in a bad mood.

 
 I woke up to this!
We had three seasons over the course of the day. TWICE!
It was all gone by evening!

I am going to visit Bryson.
He called me Saturday night to see if I missed him!
Every time we talk or facetime he says, 'Gramma, do you wanna come visit me?'
'Gramma, do you wanna come to my house?'
So I'm going!
I'll get to spend about 10 days with him.
Then his family should be here this summer for the Family Rebellion!
September, his parents are going to Toronto, so I might watch him then!
We'll see how it goes!
I need to get some cards made before I go!

Got quotes to take the trees down in the front yard, before mother nature does it! And it makes a bigger mess than the one that came down last November! 

Got a quote for a deck off my patio doors.
I can't have a roof!
Because the electrical is right there!
I told Kalen his party shed was looking better all the time!
I have no place to go in the yard for shade, especially since the shade tipped over in November! 

There's still wheelbarrows & stuff in there, but I did haul some lawn chairs there, solar lights, we'll put a fire pit just outside, Kalen will fix the roof; I already had to move my chair, roof leaks!
We really have no use for this shed. There are 3 others we keep things in!

I bought an air conditioner from one of moms friends who's moving. That tree shaded the whole house on the west side!
Kalen & I also bought a used lawn tractor, with a roto tiller, a blade for snow, and a trailer.
I plead my case before the shot in the knee. I used a push mower last year and did the yard in sections. Took 3 evenings during the week, as I refuse to spend my weekends mowing grass. This year, before the shot, was looking like every second day! Then I'd just get done, and have to start over!

My brother went back to work today.
I love it when he's here, he helps with little projects.
He changed the oil on the quad, and put in a new spark plug.
Last week, he asked, 'You got your play clothes on?'
I had to lay on the ground & help him put the quad back together, cause it's modified for a blade.
Had to wash my play clothes, and spray my play coat cause it had oil on it! 

Guess that's all I know.
Doing yard work, almost every day!
Snow against the north side of the forest is finally melting!
We will pick up the garden tractor this week while Kalen is home.
I've been watering his cedars etc.
He has a grow op in the potting shed. Not that kind; my job is to water, or don't water, just spray.

Mom's getting better all the time.
She hasn't driven yet.
Pretty sure it's going to hurt, as she has a standard vehicle!
You know, with a clutch & gears.
I'll make supper tomorrow & take it to her house.
She also has days when she does nothing but sleep, and she hurts.
I don't think she's taking her medication properly, but we're not having that conversation! 

Better go!
Hope you're all well!
Talk to ya later!

 

“If you’re feeling helpless, help someone.” — Aung San Suu Kyi

Good Day!
I don't know where the time has gone!
On January 4th my mom fell outside on her sidewalk & fractured her pelvis.
I have never seen my mom in so much pain.
I took her home after 2 weeks in the hospital.
To her house!
She had to promise to shower when someone is there, and not to use her wood stove. Using the wood stove means kindling, going outside, packing wood.  
I  take or make her supper every second day.
Hopefully her sisters visit the days I'm not there! 
It's Chinese New Years Buffet at the a restaurant in town.
I've asked her all week if I could pick her up.
Last night she said, yes, pick me up, I'm feeling better.
Then, no, I'm not going with a walker.
OI!
Anyhoo, she's on the mend!

Vanessa did send me a picture of her Christmas card.
Next to the shaker cards it's her favorite.
That's pretty high praise! 

It's real sparkly in real life!
I realized when she sent the picture, that the wooden hearts I put on look like V's!

I did get some Valentine cards made!

Mom's 

 Kalens

 Vanessa & Harley

 

 

 Bryson

I love that this folds flat!

We had snowmaggedon! Nothing like down east, but it started & wouldn't quit!

This is probably day 4, and Kalen finally got one piece of snow removal equipment working! 

When I complained to my family up north, they said, well 
at least it isn't -40!
It's been raining all week, so the snow is almost gone!

The snow wouldn't quit, so I had a laundry soap making day!  

 

 Fels Naptha is getting harder to find just over the line in the 

U S of A, so I used Zote.

 

The bar is twice as big, think the price is comparable!

I also ordered some seeds online, which surprised me by arriving the next week!

 

We  still want to get some Milkweed, as we seen Monarchs at the lake when the kids were here.

Kalen didn't think they were this far north.

Pretty sure I'm right in their path for the lake!!

Actually, I'd like to plant more shrubs & flowers, cut down on the mowing! 

Also, my front yard is pretty much dirt, so would like to fill in with Hostas etc. It's shady & they are compatible with walnut trees.

 

Better go.

Hope you are well!

Talk to ya later!