Busy Is Good!

The last 12 days have been so BUSY!

Well, as busy as days can be for a retired person. I've been retired for medical reason since 2007 but I never really thought of myself as retired. Tired maybe, but not retired!

These days have actually been busier for hubby, and my daughter then they were for me. I simply help out where I can to reduce the stress or have extra "Grand"ma time. I don't mind picking up the slack.

It also means I have been busy working in the garden everyday, sometimes 2 or 3 times.

Can I call it that now that things are finally growing?

Boy did I ever have the brown thumb before, but there are signs it is turning green. After all, I did have a pretty nice flower garden this year. I already knew the pumpkins were getting in late after they had that crazy start. Finally they are beginning to look like pumpkin plants. Out of the 18 started, so far 12 have survived the transplant. I also had a run in with white flies who were making themselves at home on some stems. Between the pest guy spraying around the area, I took to the internet to learn what else I can do. With a click of the mouse some soap and traps went into my Amazon cart and will be here Thursday. I LOVE Amazon Prime! Until then brushing them off  will have to do.

Did you know that they are attracted to yellow?

It might not seem like a lot to most, but for me, and with my limits, I am very happy of what I have accomplished. If the pumpkin plants don't produce any pumpkins or they are still small by our Boo Bash, I decided that each week I will be picking up 3-5 pumpkins from Walmart to fill in the pumpkin patch. With everything we learned this year will only make next years garden even better. There are still 2 planter boxes yet to be planted and I have two beds in front of the Gazebo to plant. I just got the soil turned over and soaking. Another turn over and they should be ready. Not sure what I will put in the beds by the gazebo. The boxes will be my salad boxes and I will head out to Yuma Nursery this week to pick up some starters. 

Did you know Yuma was the lettuce capitol of the world? 

Unfortunately all that busy stuff came with a price. Yesterday I cut a big chunk off the ball of my foot. Yes, BIG OUCH! Yes, I was bare foot! So today I have to stay off it as much as possible. Garden dirt and open wounds don't really get along. I know, I know, I've been told since I can remember to "Put on your shoes!" I usually do, but sometimes it's just a quick trip out to change the water. Now I'm changing bandages.

I guess that's one way to slow me down. It also allows me the time to catch up here and with others.

Did I ever show you the finished kitchen. Still can't. It's still in need of a dishwasher getting installed. Plus we wanted to update the base boards by the back door since the cast iron pans crashed off the wall a while back taking big gashes out of them. What this company wanted to charge to do it was, guess? "CRAZY!"

I won't even begin to update that experience. I signed a paper that their job was complete, with notes and wrote the final check!

It is now up to us to finish the transition pieces by the front door and install the dishwasher. Only hubby has been, you know, kind of busy!

I have gotten quite use to doing dishes by hand. Shouldn't be much longer.


For a break and to get me out and about, I went with hubby to the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.

I learned they had a viewing area, so next month I now know where I will be hanging out while he does what he does, make good water. I learned it because on this trip I saw these...

Me and hubby couldn't figure out what they were. When I was on their Facebook page, I clicked on their photos and as I scrolled down, there they were. They are owl nest. The picture below was taken by Jennifer O'Neill in March of 2014.

Another now I know what I am going to watch for come next year. All the pictures of them were taken between January and April. I think it's time to explore more of Cibola and not just the Goose pond which is right below the water plant where I hang out. The nest we saw was down the road from there. We need to do the Goose Loop Road again. It's been a long time. From now on we should do it each time we go and we'll see what we can see. I can't wait. I LOVE owls!

Phew! I think that's enough for today.

It's getting kind of dark outside and a bit windy. Could we be getting some more rain?

Just what my garden needs.

PATIENCE!

Romans 8:24-26(ESV)

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

I needed PATIENCE over my seeds sprouting! 

I was two weeks late getting my pumpkin seeds started. After 10 days I still hadn't seen any sign of sprouts. I thought maybe it was just to hot and that the seeds I planted had baked in our oven of a desert. Saying I was just a bit frustrated is an understatement. However I will not be defeated. I grab some more seeds and using the same pods, I replanted them. A week later I had spouts. Great! Not so perfect timing as we were going out of town for the week, soI over watered them to assure they didn't dry out by the time we get home. What I saw when we got home, not only did they get bigger but even more sprouted. Some of those baked seeds survived, wahoo! They all got transplanted into the garden yesterday. 16 pumpkin plants, possibly producing 3-5 pumpkins each means I could have approximately 48-80 pumpkins. There is a good chance they might not be fully grown by Halloween but we can be patient and hope for the best, right! Always thankful Walmart sells their pumpkins pretty cheap so I can just fill it in if needed for our 8th Annual Boo Bash Pumpkin Patch. 

Patience was also needed for arranging that time to get away. Giving it up in prayer allowed others to do what they do, and what a great job they did! It wasn't a long time, just 4 days of a short week, but it was a time that was so needed and oh, how refreshing it was!

We didn't go far, just over the mountain, as we say!

We stayed at the Mission Bay RV Resort in San diego, which is across the bay from Campland on the Bay. It's more like a RV Park-ing lot then a resort but it was clean, had large, leveled spaces, and the location was perfect for the things we wanted to do. Oh, and the people, they were pretty awesome too. 

I just LOVED our spot! 

We got there just in time for the sunset. Well, it's there behind that marine layer.

Our first full day we wanted to head back to Cabrillo National Monument and the Point Loma Tide Pools. Even getting there at 9 AM when they opened wasn't early enough to see the tide pools. We talked with a ranger and learned when the best time is. The fall and winter months have the minus tides needed to see the pools. Maybe after the New Year we might try another day trip. We'll see. We'll be patient though, yay never know if the third time will be the charm, right!

Next is the La Jolla Cove and The Cave.

What an awesome place! I wanted to go down to the beach to be up close and personal with some of the seals but NO DOGS are allowed

I also contemplated going down to the bottom of the cave, but the 145 steps that take you down are a lot different coming up! Not to mention the narrow passage that you must go through to get there is a bit intimidating for someone who is a little claustrophobic. 

We were going to eat somewhere around there but none of the places were dog friendly. A snack and water till we got back to the RV would have to do.

Once again the marine layer interfered with our sunset. Bella had a good time walking on the beach. Dogs were allowed on Mission Beach after 6 PM so long as they are on a leash. We strolled the boardwalk and did a lot of people watching. 

Have you seen the movie "Cocoon"? The spot light the sun shined on the ocean made us think of it. It only lasted a few minutes so I was thrilled when a seagull flew into my view adding the special touch to the photo. All we needed was a boat.

Our last full day began the same way it had ended the evening before. The marine layer still hovered over us and hubby dealing with the truck. On the way back to the RV a warning light came on that the battery wasn't charging. While hubby turned off everything except the headlights, I read the manual by the phone flashlight. He didn't need me to, cause he knew what was wrong, it was the alternator, but he listened as I read aloud which was helping me understand and settle my nerves. Not wanting to drive it to get the part, he asked a security guard if it was possible to get a ride. It just so happened his shift was ending. Perfect timing or God? 

Fortunately it was an easy fix and we were able to continue on with our plans. I just love this man. He can be so patient in most stressful situations. 

Before we left I had searched for odd and unusual things to see in San Diego. I couldn't believe all that I found.

Like there is this wire artist, Spencer Little, who creates pieces that he then attaches to street light polls. The picture on the right was taken by Crosby Dock , November, 2015.

" There are eight of the fanciful portraits altogether – four in the vicinity of University and Wabash avenues and four along Fairmount Avenue near Orange and Polk avenues - and they all went went up in mid-June, Little said."

We decided not to go looking for the wire art this trip. 

The same with Harper's Topiaries. Edna Harper has been sculpting her shrubs for 15 years. Wow! I'll let you know when we make it by to see her art.

What we did make it to was The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge

If you know me, heights are up there with being claustrophobic! 70 feet above the canyon and 375 feet end to end. Add with the moving up and down and the swaying back and forth, my stepping onto that bridge was an act of faith and trust. I read how safe it was so that calmed me some. Oh, if you make it there, take a lock, paint it up, lock it on a cable, make a wish, kiss and throw the key into the canyon below.

Our next stop was a beach that Bella could enjoy as well. And boy did she! In case you want to know it was The Dog Beach at Ocean Beach. Beware, the approach to it is very overwhelming with dog urine as ever male must pee on the light poles and garbage cans on their way in and out. Once you get out on the beach, it's a dogs paradise! Bella has never been off her lead, EVER! After a few minutes, and many other dog owners being patient with us, (it kept getting in the way) I took a leap of faith and unhooked her. SHE LOVED IT!

For over an hour she ran, jumped, swam, played, and had the best time. Once her lead was off, and I was throwing a ball for her, the camera had to be handed off. I was surprised later that hubby had clicked some pictures of us playing. Awe, how sweet of him. By the time we left my cropped pants that I kept rolling up were soaked. When I tried to put Bella's lead back on, she didn't want it back on. It was so funny!

Afterwards we found a nice place to eat lunch further down Ocean Beach where it didn't matter how wet and sandy we were. We will surely be visiting this beach again. Next time we are going better prepared to hang out longer.

After lunch we went and found Chicano Park. Why? For the art!

It turned out to be the best afternoon ever!

That is till the sunset. NO marine layer!

Finally being patient paid off! I finally got the sun sizzling on the ocean. Now that made it the best day ever!

Even the next morning, when once again there was that darn marine layer obscuring my view of yet another sunrise, being patient and waiting another 35 minutes allowed me to capture this.

What a wonderful time we had.

Oh, and remember how patient we had been over those bids. This gets installed next week...

Hubby will need to hold onto that patience a bit longer. See that note describing what the CARRIER shouldn't do, well they did. The crate was damaged, the shrink wrap was off, and until the system can be checked out for leaks from damage, he won't know the extent of it. There are reasons why special handling is needed and labeled. Ignoring the labels is not an excuse for mishandling.

Then there was the patience we had to have over that "CRAZY" reconstruction. Glad to say we signed the completion certificate yesterday and it is officially over and done! I love the new flooring and the dishwasher will be installed this weekend. YAY!

Finally, it takes a lot of patience to wait fr the perfect time to click the camera at just right second to capture the hummingbird feeding off my Mexican Bird of Paradise. I had been trying to capture this for a while now. My bushes have been so vibrant this year. Oh, and more hummingbirds have shown up. Today there were 5 flying around at one time. There might even be a few more as I can't keep track of them as I count. 

So....

.

Hello September!

Hello September, I am so happy you are here!

It means the weather will be and has been cooling down. The days are still a bit hot but it's cooling down more at night, making the mornings absolutely beautiful. Being able to have the doors open, and the sounds of the birds outside can now be heard where ever I am. 

It means dove season started, so from dawn till a few hours after, the repeated sounds of gun shots can be heard. Then, remember those doves that had been hanging around, well they seem to  have thinned out too. I don't understand why they hunt them, but I am thankful they do. Down here, it is a competition.

September also brings just a few birthdays this month! So Happy Birthday to Joel, Dianna, Ken, Serena, Paula, Charlie, Tina, Titou, Dave, Azalia, and our beloved Uncle Joe. If I missed anyone, Happy Birthday to you too!

It also means Labor Day. Which usually includes some type of a stay-cation. Some years we even made a vacation of it. Then this year, that "CRAZY" arrived and we had to cancel some plans, then re-arrange others. I just accepted the fact the things were out of my control. Trying to navigate through the doctors appointments, the re-construction, and the work days of hubby's that just kept filling up was interesting. I accepted the fact that the season had started early and the next time would be November.

When it looked like an opening was appearing that just maybe, we could possibly get away, I found NO VACANCY was my next road block.

So what's a girl to do!

I GAVE it up!

Yep, I had that one on one with the One above! Each morning during my time with Him, we talked about all that was going on. How much I needed this and that. I, I, I, and then it hit me! It wasn't just about me. It also included the workers who have been challenged. The employee who needed healing. My daughter who was juggling more then possible at times. The hubby who had been working hard on those bids. Yes, I had been including them each morning, but more like a side note, ya know, "Oh, by the way God, ..." The blank would be filled with what ever needs he or others might need.

Then it dawned on me. In order for my prayers to be answered I needed to change it around. I needed to pray that their prayers were to be answered first.

My daughters prayers always seem to be answered one way or another by the incredible prayer chain she has surrounding her. I can not take full credit for His presence in her life. I am blessed to be a part of it. She is an example of the "Village" theory. She has become who she is not just by what I could do for her, but by what other also have and had done as well. Her Christian life is an example of how faith CAN raise a child. How faith can heal a heart. How faith can build a foundation.

The prayers for the employee to heal, well he is healing great and he's ready for the season. He has a new spring in his step these days. Could it be!

Oh and how can I forget about the workers challenging this re-construction! Oh my goodness. Without prayers I might have fired the lot of them. All because of one! One that was suppose to lead, led by a bad example. It wasn't their fault. They need the job. So I prayed for them. All of them. What their supervisors said couldn't happen, did! Once again I stood firm on the faith that a way would be found. I understood it would take time. God has time! So guess what is being installed today while I am typing away. Yep! By 1 o'clock PM I will have a kitchen floor!

Then there are those prayers for hubby! When the last of all those bids had gone out, his comment to me was, "With luck..." I immediately cut off his sentence, which is something he absolutely hates me doing, "NO, with prayers!" Instead of getting on me about cutting him off, I get a, "Yay, that too!"

That did it!

Bids that had been out, some for almost 6 months, started coming in, while new ones came in to bid on. Sale leads and service calls are picking up so much that there is talk of having to hire another guy.

Oh, last but surely not least, my pray to get away, ANSWERED!

Yep, my hubby, with the help of my daughter made all the arrangements.

It's not Sedona, but San Diego here we come! Best part is, we arrive Tuesday after Labor Day. Yep, everyone else will have checked out while we check in. Should make for a very relaxing week.

I Pray!

For him, and for others.

There was a time I couldn't quote the bible either. In fact I still can't. I know I'll keep trying. I'll keep studying. And I'll keep praying!

God knows all about "Our Journey Through LIFE!" and it wouldn't be what it is without Him!