pLuMmY

Blessings are around every corner.  Jason took me out for one of our weekend drives.  We hadn't been on one since last year.  It was nice.  What was even nicer was the beautiful things that we saw while out driving around. 

We stopped parked the Jeep and Jason got out.  We saw something that I thought it would be fun to have a closer view of.  But I was tired already. 

Jason took the camera out of the bag and took a hike. 

I love what he showed me.

 

The plum trees were beautiful!  These are the kind of flowers that I love for Jason to bring home.  They last forever and never will wilt.  I love them.   Wish he could have captured their fragrance!  That is about all that is missing wouldn't you agree?

I loved the night out.  It turned into quite the adventure. 

Blessings and Plum Dreams,
Pink Doberman

YiPeEEEEEE!

I have just realized that this is the first winter since the car accident that I have made it through the winter feeling no worse for wear physically!  Woo HOO!  I stayed inside almost all winter and I am out attacking life with as much as I have got.  ( It isn't much I admit, but I am doing what I can.)  It feels good.  I worked in the garage again today.  Jason read my frustration about my garden happenings or not happenings... 

Leftover seeds!  I have seeds from last year.  I don't know how many of them will actually sprout and be productive, but it gives me hope.

He got the garden all cleaned out, moved some strawberry plants into pots and even pulled out some over grown grass.

He also discovered that I have quite the crop of onions going already in the garden! 














Which is super cool, as the onions I planted last year I thought would die over the winter.  NOPE!  They are alive!  Woo Hoo!  And they are thriving!  Which is most wonderful I must say!

The birds have been very active around here!  I am really enjoying the different varieties that come by my window.











I got some pots ready for planting today, Jason cleaned out all of the large square outdoor pots!  Yea!  Those are hard for me as they sit so low.  He also tossed some flower seeds in them as well, which is super!  We should have some pretty flowers this year!  If the seeds work that is.  =).

Frustrations never cease around here it seems though, one of his radio antenna's bit the dust, two batteries for his power drill no longer work... and while getting his broken antenna off his bumper, he damaged his bumper and now needs another part for his wrangler.. and the battery in his truck won't stay charged..  Oh my!

In addition to the clasps he needs for his soft top that he just remembered after a winter of not thinking about his broken soft top..  Oh joy..  Life does indeed continue to toss us some curve balls, but nothing that can't be fixed over time. 

He has just figured out a solution to his truck battery! 
My husband is so smart!  He has it hooked up to start with solar power!  How cool is that!  What a Mr. Smarty Pants!!  I love it! 




I need to figure out a bread type recipe.. so I can eat my new organic peanut butter!  Which tastes marvelous I might add, I have been having it with my soy/coconut ice cream.  MMMMMmmmmMMMM.... Hot Fudge is also a welcome addition to my concoction as of late!  Can you say heaven?


I might have to break down and have this tasty treat AGAIN tonight!  We brought desert to a friends house and we made an ice cream bar!  It was awesome!  We've really been indulging lately!  I think it has been something that Jason and I needed... fun food that gives us the feeling of not being in our "normal" life!

We've got a plan. It might take us a while to get things accomplished, but we will get there.   

I did go out and weed the strawberry bed a bit more.. good thing Jason was here.  Bending down like that, well let's just say it would have been interesting if he hadn't been home.  He picked me up out of the strawberry bed and carried me back into the house to rest.  I was better later.  But I know better than to go pulling weeds with out him being home.  Hopefully by the end of summer I will be able to do that again. 

Here is a picture of the seed boxes.  I managed to get some of the seeds put in them as well.  I did that several days ago, and they are still sitting in the garage.  I need to get some water on them and get them in the sun.  Someday, one day soon.  I know that will happen. 

I did get some laundry done, and the dishwasher unloaded.  The hand wash dishes are still waiting for me.  Guess they are going to have to wait a little longer.



Faith is here. 



Blessings,
Pink Doberman

OuTsiDe iN a PaRk

I am thrilled to be having some good days.  I was able to be out and about with Jason the other day!  It was wonderful.  I was having pretty good balance and not to bad of pain.  It was lovely, the sun was shining!  We took lots and lots of pictures!  That was super fun..  (He took lots and lots of pictures!) 

I went along for the ideas..  I am not the best at these things but I am having fun with it.  It has been that I would share what I would like to have pictures of and he would go out and find it.  In addition to what he wanted to take pictures of of course.  But it is so fun for me to go with him.  We are pretty low key about it and it is so nice to be out and about doing something with him. 

Luka would have loved the day as well.  We went to a park.  But since I have been doing some food experimentation I thought it was best that he stayed home.  No one wants a dog with an upset tummy!  His tummy is doing so much better!  Which is wonderful!  I am getting things figured out.  Wish he wouldn't have to suffer through my inadequacies. 

The day was glorious though, not to cold, I thought it was going to be.  It was chilly.  I wore a tee shirt a bulky sweater a jacket a scarf and brought gloves along too!  It worked out rather well.  I used everything but the gloves and I did not freeze to death!  Of course I think I was wearing more than EVERYONE else who was out that day, but who cares! 

We even met up with some friends!  We took their pictures too!  That was really fun!  They did a great job of having fun in front of Jason's lens. 

We even stopped to see our friends baby.  By then I was getting pretty tired.  I did not say anything of course as then Jason would have just taken me straight home.  I really wanted to go see our friends at the hospital! 
So we did.  I even held the new little guy for a bit.  (About 2 minutes.)  Before my arms could not do it any longer.. I was even sitting in a chair with arm rests.. I was bummed.. but hey.  I don't hold many babies.  It has been hard for me to do, and I would not want to drop them.  The chair worked out great it provided good support so dropping was not going to happen..

He is adorable!  He was awake and everything!  Pretty cool!..  until my arm started freaking out..  His proud papa then held him until he fell to sleep.  Mom and Dad are doing great!  The nurses think Mom is super mom, she was up and about the day or so after her C section! 

She looks gorgeous and radiant as well of course!

We had a great visit with them!  By the time I was done I could not hide my exhaustion.  But I was so happy to have gone to see them!  Jason had a great time too!  We really like hanging out with our friends!  I am sure we will be getting together for supper in a bit as well.  At least I would like to. 

Look at what the military is testing? 

It was a great day! 

Blessings,
Pink Doberman

NoT tOo BaD!

Happy April 1st!  No Jokes here... I am not good at those, they always seem to back fire or really irritate someone..  So just the normal happy it is SpRiNG thing!!

So excited about Spring!  Have I mentioned that yet?  Really excited!  I mean REALLY!  I am watching 4 rabbits running through the alley of the block next to ours.  They are out having fun, playing hopscotch, the birds are eating out of our bird feeder that just yesterday I placed outside my window!  We ave red birds, blue birds, black birds, brown birds.. so many birds.  I have the windows open and am listening to them all chatter!  It is so wonderful!  Not to mention the beautiful sunshine that we have been having and the warm lovely weather!  Oh MY!  This girl is so much happier! 

I slept all morning, another migraine.. with a whole pile of medication to get rid of it.. by two I was able to be up and around a bit, so I continued to work on getting the house in shape a bit! After yet another night of not sleeping I've had a really good day!  I've even gone out and gotten the mail!  Woo Hoo! 

The eggs I thought were going to be delivered to day never came.. UGGG... because I also have managed to get the potatoes baked, and the squash baked as well..   So this will mean no eggs for Luka this batch..  as the eggs need to go in with the hot potatoes.  What do they say about the best laid plans??  Just gotta smile..

I didn't get any gardening stuff done today, my neck is still pretty sore from being up so much yesterday.  So after being up for a while I am back to resting..  I suppose that will do.. The interesting things outside are keeping me company and driving Luka nuts..

Luka is laying here frustrated because all of the other dogs in the neighborhood start barking at things every once in a while..  He'd love to get outside and join them.  Sadly for him that is not what I am up for today.  I had planned to sit outside.. I kind of did, by opening up the windows I could get the best of it with out getting more tired!  I had a good day!  I am glad! 

I just love this picture!  Jason does such a nice job!  He took Luka out to play and got some great pictures of him too! 

While I am thrilled the snow is gone!  I do love some of the pictures that Jason took this past winter.  I truly think it was the thing that made the winter survivable for me! 

Well, for now Tchau! 
Pink Doberman

AtTiTuDe & mY hUbBY!

What do you do when everything falls apart?



You just start picking up the pieces one at a time.





Our lives often feel like a puzzle.  Often times fitting together perfectly.  Most of the time a little effort is required, if not allot of effort.

Today seemed to be no exception.  I don't feel like disclosing what happened.  I will say it involved money of course..

But Jason is once again my hero.  This time he used major amounts of self control, I am sure!  I am sure thoughts of running the other direction entered his mind every time I started to speak.  He also gave me hope when I was losing it.

I appreciated that.  I am usually the hopeful one.. but I am frustrated these days and on and off of pain meds I am sure does not help my mental state.

At any rate.. Jason persisted through many obstacles that were in his way.  He came out on the other side my shining hero!  I really know that his frustration and stress level have not been decreasing.  He however has really been shining in the attitude department!  I am not sure what he is doing.  He really never has been bad or horrible... he used to just be less than excited about some things..  and his tone would reflect it.

His tone has changed.  His attitude is changing.  I am loving that!

He deserves so much credit for sticking with me!  He has just been the best husband anyway.  He does everything that has to be done.  This time what he did helped me be a stronger person.  His attitude and willingness to do all that he could with the best attitude really meant the world to me.  It makes me love him even more.  He is quite wonderful.  I feel blessed in the midst of difficult times.

He has also been out taking some other great pictures!!  I am really impressed with what he does!  I love looking at all of the cool things he is out seeing and capturing digitally! We have yet to print any of his shots.

Maybe in the future.  But since that costs extra we will just have to have a plan! 








I love this one.  It is so simple it is peaceful to me!

Some leaves hang on despite all of the challenges that winter provides and this winter was a doozie!  These leaves to me remind me of the potential in all of us to hang on spring or a new season will be here soon!



I wish I could do something that would improve things as we know it.  I am working on that...

For now I am just going to hang on and listen to him playing his guitar in the basement!


Love you honey, and I appreciate you and all that you do!

Pink Doberman

AdVeNtUrEs oF jAsOn..

Jason has been busy taking some more pictures!  Of which I am so glad.  I have not been feeling up to scooting around with him.

But I am sure enjoying what he is bringing home!!

I really like cows, I used to have one as a pet.  She was a Hereford Cow (Red and White) I named her Cracker.  ( I was young and didn't understand the negative connotations..) My father preferred I change the name but I was stubborn and he wouldn't explain why.. so she kept her lovely name.  I think I had a hand full of saltines at the time! =) 

Jason was out late last year. He found this deer!  He was so excited!  I think it is a great shot!
He had to be very quiet... but the deer saw him anyway and ran away!!

This picture I actually had a part in taking!  This squirrel and another frequent the tree's outside our home.  One of these tree's is just outside our bedroom window!  Jason was so good to come quickly when I called grabbing the camera that he is learning to keep handy and ready to shoot.

I am often sitting in bed, especially these days.. I still have yet to go to the Specialist Dr.  to see what he thinks.  So when I am up and about more and with my head/neck unsupported.. the pain increases.  I just had a bout of several days of that.  I was taking lots of pain medication.  But for me that was better than laying down away from everyone else..  So while I was in bed most of the day and all night, I was up in the late afternoon and evening after being in bed medicated all day.  I was medicated in the evenings of course too.. grr.

But I did have a good time.  I even managed to make corn beef and cabbage for St. Patties Day, and a meal of Chinese Style food, Chow Mein, Beef and Vegies, and Fried Rice.  That was fun!  Won't go in to more detail but a good time was had by all.

Luka has been sticking to my side very well.  He has been helping me on the stairs these days.  Mostly he is laying by my side as I am pretty boring, even though the weather is finally nice.  It is so nice to look out the window and see blue sunny skies!  I am glad he is here with me.  

This squirrel is a joy to watch as it leaps from tree to tree.  I am glad Jason got this shot!   He/She is hard to catch.. so fast!  The birds have been fun to watch too, there is a cardinal and a dove outside my window at times as well!  Not to mention the Robin's!!

My grandmother used to paint pictures of the birds outside her window.  Now I understand why she did.  It sure brought her joy.  Maybe I will try and paint in here too...  (that is sure to drive Jason batty.. I should ask his permission first I suppose.. =)! )

He got some others I will share with you later!   Thanks Jason for taking these great pictures!  Be sure to let him know what you think of his shots! 

Blessings!

Pink Doberman

LaUnDrY... & MaYhEm...

So on a recent trip... we were at a friends house.  Jason was also working of course..  What is new there.. I guess it would be news if he weren't...  =)!    That would be awesome! 

Well at any rate...
At a friends house..  I thought I'd be smart and wash some things of Luka's..   It turned out to be more work than it was worth.  At least I didn't destroy anything,... Yes I have a knack for that.. 

But I did end up making some extra work for Jason who was mortified... and gave me several of those "What Were You Thinking" looks..    =D!

I get those allot!

So I took pictures...  My handy work in action..

The victims...  my lovely prayer blanket that was made for me by a group of Kansas Church Ladies! 
It used to not have pink in it's motif....
Jason is doing such a good job of getting the mess out of the house.  Those blankets were WET!

Bless his heart... those blankets just would not cooperate!

They really kept blowing.. and blowing and soon they would fly off..
Jason is so resourceful.. 

So he found something to shag them with.  Because it was COLD out there...
I am a really big pain in the A** to follow around and fix the mayhem that flows in my wake..

The mayhem.... See these little purple spherical dots?  There were MILLIONS OF THEM!!

All over the washer... (didn't take a picture of that..) Jason cleaned that out, with very strong words to me to LEAVE him alone and let him do it before I would also hurt myself and he have to carry me out of there.. 

So guiltily I slunk away and got the camera to record my purple mayhem...
If the purple little balls of fuzz weren't such a pain... I would have asked to keep them.  Because I am sure they would make an excellent decoration or at least a conversation piece. 

And I am mostly sad.  Because I really love my purple blanket!  I've had it for years!  It is super silky and soft!  I am sad that when it gets dirty this next time that it goes in the trash. 

I guess I should feel fortunate that it already isn't there... gives me time to prepare! 

But I really do LOVE this blanket.. even though it is now see through!

Thankfully, our friends washing machine cleaned out well.. we ran an empty load through,
and then did two more loads just to make sure it was all cleaned out.  Didn't want anyone to put white things in afterward, and then they come out pink!  .... That could be really bad and embarrassing. 



I would know I once did that to my father's under shirts and underwear!   I also managed to bleach everyone's jeans too... after these and a few other episodes from my child hood I was promptly asked to avoid doing anyone's laundry including my own... 

Out of the deal our friends washing machine got thoroughly cleaned out...  as best you can do anyway with out actually taking the machine apart.... Which Jason has already been apart of doing.... (note: nothing to do with me in that case) 

Got their vacuum cleaned out.. thankfully they have this nifty container vacuum.. A Dyson!  Which worked so slick to get all of those little balls picked up that flew all over the house as the blankets were carried outside...



Oh the joys..  I have improved on that at least.. but I seem to have mayhem in my genes...  
I keep life interesting at least.  Jason need never be bored..  Heaven forbid that ever happen!!  -


=D Keeping life real - Blessings,
Pink Doberman

A LiTtLe dReAm!!

What do you do when you'd like to be out having fun in the nicer weather?

Dream about it!

So even though this is pretty much what everything looks like I sure would like to be gallivanting around to see it all for myself!  Well, I do get to go to see Dr. M. tomorrow!  YIpie Ky Yo...  I don't mean that!  But that is the most exciting thing I have planned!  I have managed to not take any medication today!  I am sure my liver is appreciating that! 

Hope I've been good enough today that my night will go as smoothly!

Of course I do have a list of other things I need/want to do tomorrow.  Time will tell.  It will be up to Jason if they all happen I suppose.  Or he may just have to go run around and do the things for me...  with a Honey PLLLLllllleeeeeeZZZZZZE!

He is so amazing about that sort of stuff.  I try not to ask him to by "girl stuff".  You know what I mean...

I am sure he would, but I am not sure I would get what I ordered!  I would guarantee he would get me something, but exactly what I wanted??  I even have to stand in that isle for an hour to find the right package. 

He did grab the absolutely perfect shampoo the other day though!  I was pretty impressed!  I even got a confirmation phone call!  Now that is a Real Man for you!

My definition has never included muscles and a nasty attitude.  Although he does have muscles.. but he checks the attitude! 

We just got back from another of his teaching trips.  He ended up having to pack my bags and all when we came home.  I try to pack my bags.  I should be able to put shirts in a bag..  I am so grateful that he did that.  He also carries everything loads everything, and even made a trailer to hall things.  Of course he likes it when we leave that at home!  Which we often do!  Our little wagon is quite handy.

So life is good.  I have a good man here to make sure I make it everywhere with all of my pieces!  A dog that goes along for the ride and is around when my good man isn't. 

Blessed and Dreaming!  Hope you are too!
Pink Doberman

sTill HeRe!

Waking up last night with more pain in my lower back, just leaves me speechless.  OMG... is everything starting to feel pain again?

I mean seriously, have all of these injections just decided to wear out now or is the pain some how connected.  Is my bed really that bad... ( well yes, it is..) I do know the answer to that one.

We have a better mattress set.  It is lots smaller.  It is for our guests to sleep on... Jason being he is a tall guy really does not like sleeping on little beds.  I can understand that for sure.  No one wants to feel like they are going to be shoved off.   Or roll over in their sleep and fall off.

Yikes that would be really bad.


Maybe if we would get those baby bars then we couldn't fall off and he would be more willing to squish together in the little bed.  Oh, the memories!! ( not saying more than that )

Well, it is something to check out.

I am making a Needs/Wants/Dreams List.

I used to do that regularly with my Mary Kay.  I guess it would be something to start doing for my general regular life as well.  Jason really doesn't want to get involved in that type of stuff.  He just gets more and more depressed to talk about all of those things.  (as realistically not many of them will come to pass)

I am the dreamer though.  If they never happen, I will at least have had a tremendously fun time thinking about them, planning for things gives me something to do as I lay here.  Besides the thought of decorating or designing really does sound fun to me.  So I think I will do some dreaming!

I used to decorate a museum for Christmas for years!  I loved it.  It is more fun to do with others, and I did have help occasionally, but more often than not I had to do some arm twisting, as Jason's favorite thing to do was and is not decorating.  Now I know you find that hard to believe!  Really truly you do!  But he's a simple guy.  Thank goodness he loves me lots and showed up to help when asked.

So today I am going to be gathering my list together, at least the beginning of it.  I don't seem to be able to remember everything at one time, so I will just keep adding as time passes!

I have also been working on another resume for someone I know.  I hope it helps her get a great new job!  The other resume that I made got rave reviews from the University the guy applied to.  He did not get that job, he got another, but he did get a wonderful letter back about how they really liked his resume!  That made me feel great!  He also got a really well paying job!  So that is fun too!

Now I am for sure no resume expert.  I just know enough to be dangerous.  But it gives me something I can do to give back to others.  That makes me feel the best.  By no means can I crank these things out.  But I can do them every so often.  I really need to be able to focus.  I have difficulty with that.  I don't mean to believe that it is impossible.  But there are other things I have to focus in my day to day doings that over rides detailed focus on the computer.  Which is why all most all of my posts on my blog are the first draft of my thoughts.  To make each post perfect, well... I would never get anything written. 

While watching the evening news tonight.  I was watching the ABC Newscast tonight.  I learned about some side effects of a prescription medication.  It caught my attention.  I have been debating this medication.    I had almost started it.  I am not that old.  I think I will keep trying the old fashioned way for a while.  Vitamins and Minerals....  Sad thing is.. the prescriptions are usually less of an out of pocket expense due to insurance.  The Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc are more expensive... At least in the quantities and from the companies I am comfortable taking them from.  I guess with anything you will pay for it one way or another. 

I personally would just rather not add any additional pain to my life. 

Have I mentioned I hate medications!  HATE THEM!  But I am needing them lately.  Oie Ve... I probably could accomplish more with being on them all of the time.  Of course that is until I am needing to get a new liver. 

My Pain Management Dr. Agrees.  Of that I am appreciative.  He said he would rather I rest than take pills to keep on keeping on.  I of course am no good on pain medications anyway.  I wouldn't dare get behind the wheel of a car.  Oh my!  Not a good choice. 

I just wish my tummy would cooperate.  I've recently had some extreme tummy issues... the medications are not agreeing with me at all.  So back to the Dr. I go.  I sure hope I get approved for more injections.  My back could sure use a break from laying on it for days! 

I have kept trying to get up, but it is not working.  Good thing Jason's been here!  That has been lovely today!  I took my bath, another thing I had not been able to do.  Not to good to do that on your own... seeing as how there is nothing to grab on your way to the floor but air! 

For some reason Luka hates the bathroom.  He will come into it finally so that is a good step.  I do not feel like adding any potential trauma to his psyche.  I am not sure why he does not like them.  Having not raised Luka from a pup, well there is allot that we don't know about each other. 

I am just glad these days he will come in if I call him.  I don't need to have a traumatic incident in the bathroom.  ( Actually I don't need to have one of those ANYWHERE!)  I saw this post and it got my imagination going.   It is from a blog that I follow.  She has much greater problems than I have.  And she deals with much more pain than I do I am sure.  Her name isn't Grace but it should be. 

I think we need to start thinking outside of the box about what will make my world a little easier to negotiate.  Unfortunately the things that may do that may not be pretty or cheap.  Of course!  But a little ingenuity can go a long way!  Just thinking up ideas will give me some pleasure.  I have already found some more ideas!

Four Ideas Here..

And some good points here...

I love Do-It-Yourself projects!  Of course these day's I am not usually the one doing it myself.  That would be Jason!  With all of his extra jobs teaching in addition to firefighting..  well he is also mister house cleaner (not a career option), chief cook and bottle washer - (he does not like this either)... He is also Mr. Fix-it -whether it be car- plumbing- house- electrical...

Bless my hubby's heart!  He is amazing!! 

I had been able to do the dishes at least or maybe a load of laundry here and there.. before December I was even sewing a bit.  I really enjoyed that.  Which reminds me I need to get my step by step sewing project loaded up.  ( I took pictures!)  I had hopes of at least being able to sew.  Hopefully I'll be able to do that again here at some point. 

 

One block

 

It is a four block project.  It still needs a back and a binding..

Unless I change it up and make it the center part of a whole quilt...

I just got that idea tonight while fiddling with these pictures.

We will all be surprised I guess..

It is not a finished piece but late last year I was able to get more of it done.   So we will have to see how it turns out.  I can't wait to be able to sit for a bit and get some more finished! 

Hope you are creating something in your life right now! 

Blessings,
Pink Doberman

Prayers please for the Dr.s to sign off on some more pain relief procedures.