Getting warmer

Wow 90 degrees today.  The weather has been like riding on a roller-coaster here.  Up and down.  If you don't like the weather in Texas one day, hold on, the next day the weather will be different.  Yesterday we had high winds, the sky was overcast, and it was chilly.  Not so today.

My roses are beautiful this year.  They're both double knock out roses.  The red one is a year older than the pink.  The red one looks like it is on fire.

A couple of years ago I started working on the front yard.  The west side of the yard just wouldn't grow anything.  Most of the dirt would wash into the street every time it rained.  Because of my kidneys going bad, my bones had become very brittle.  In the course of a year I had broken both my right and left wrist, and my upper left arm.  To make a long story short, I found myself skooting on my backside planting jasmine through a very hot summer.  Last year, it was disappointing.  I would never recommend jasmine as a fast grower, but this year, its filling in nicely.

My vegetables are doing really well also.  Most particularly the squash, cucumber, and cantaloupe. 

I've also been enjoying strawberries on a daily basis.

Happy Mothers Day - 2010

The church service was lovely today.  They handed out big candy bars to all of the moms.  Of course, mine went to Steve since sugar is off limits to me.

We met with the bishop after church today and reviewed our budget.  Came home and Steve is on the couch asleep with his head rocking back and forth.  Sue is asleep at the kitchen table.

It rained hard last night and I slept through it.  The back yard is muddy big time.  My veggies are all growing great though.

There's a new book on genealogy available for free online.  "Getting Started in Genealogy Online", by William Dollarhide.  You have to go to the WorldVitalRecords.com site to download the book, but as I've gone through it lightly this afternoon, I am finding all kind of information to use.

Happy mothers day to all, whether you are a mother, soon to be mother, or have a mother in your life.

His hands

My visiting teachers were here this morning.  I love it when they come to visit.  They reminded me of a talk given in our last General Conference by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  He shared a story that happened during the bombing of a city in World War II. A large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

It caused me to pause and reflect.  I heard the talk back in April but had forgotten it.  This week I've found myself grumbling about some of the things I'm required to do, but then this reminds me why I'm doing them.  No more grumbling.  

After all, he paid a much bigger price for me.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus Christ by Greg Olsen.  It reminds me of his personal love and care of each one of us.  

Mowed the yard this morning.  Actually the front and the side yards.  More tonight when it cools down.  Summer weather is here.  Still not too hot yet though.  Just hot enough.

Been way too long since I've written

It's amazing what you are capable of doing.  Its been over a year since my life changed forever.  Its been a rough year, but a good one.  October 2008 Steve lost his job; December 2008, I started dialysis and went on disability. 

Right now we have the sister missionaries living with us.  They've been with us for several months now.  A few months ago, a lady from our church moved in with us.  There are days I'd like to put a no vacancy sign in the yard.

When I start to grumble, I remember life could be a whole lot worse and go on.  Its a good time of year in my yard.  I am finally seeing the payoff of all the hard work last year getting my garden beds together.  I have tomato plants growing, squash, zucchini, peas, beans, peppers, cucumber, and cantaloupe plants as well.  Oh yes, and my strawberries.  Love the strawberries.

We sold Steve's truck last week.  It was a heartbreaking thing for him.  He loved his truck.   It was a huge sacrifice for him but will be worth it in the end.

My daughter just came back from Italy.  She spent a week there and had a wonderful time.  The pics she posted today were beautiful.   Lots of them, but I'll post a few.