Have we done it right ? Or is there a right ?

     Did you ever look back on your life and realize you missed out.  You missed out on so many things.  I'm not talking about riches or places, trips or lands to conquer.  I'm talking about your life from the time you left school but then even in school.  I mean things that happen in school, like dances, meeting new friends and grades.  How about the grades.  Why didn't they mean something to me. Why didn't I understand how important it was to try, at least try.  I say, I was told from my Mom, that she didn't do very good in school so that became my crutch.  I used that, but why did I use that.  It shouldn't have mattered what her grades were but you see then I found out she was on the honor roll.  WHAT!  What does that say for me.  Maybe she didn't think I could do any better so was trying to make me feel ok about it.  That hurts, a lot.  I feel terrible about it now because I really never believed I could do good in school.  I really missed out.  I remember feeling that I was dumb and that is really awful but now I see if I had just tried, I think I would have done very well.  Don't get me wrong I am in no way blaming my Mom.  She was just being sweet and letting me down easy.  I should have been the one to give it a go.  Then after High School, after getting married I always felt that I was always running to something else.  It didn't matter what was in my life at the time I was always running to get somewhere else.  I didn't appreciated what I had right in front of me.  You know as the saying goes, "The grass always looks greener on the other side,"  That was me.  When I had all my kids, I would think how nice it would be if I had a good job and was single.  Don't get me wrong, I love each and everyone of my kids.  There was never a dull moment and we did have a lot of fun but did I really realize just what I had, while I had it.  No, I don't think so.  I do know everyone has regrets and wishes they could go and do over a lot of events in their lives, but that is not what I'm trying to say.  I don't want a do over, I don't want to change my life, I would just like to love every moment so much more.  You know what I mean.  In the moment anything was happening I wish I would have been there fully in that moment.  I hate to say it but I just don't think that I was.  It's funny but I really don't want to know what my kids would say about their growing up years.  I'm afraid it would be different then mine.  I mean a few years ago I never had any of these doubts.  I would say with all the confidence in the world that we had a loving home, happy kids, happy times and generally a great family but then time marches on and you hear a little here and a little there and you realize maybe they didn't think it was so wonderful and that's when the doubts creep in and you realize those terrific kids you raised have an opinion and maybe it isn't the same as your opinion.  Scary uh?  I just wish I could go back and all those little moments, the ones that don't last more than a blink of an eye moments and experience them again and make sure I appreciate them.  Make sure I know and realize those are the moments to remember. Those are the moments we cherish.  Those are the moments that shape our lives.  It's the ones we don't plan, the ones that just happen, no one knows why.  Have I messed up ?  Did I do it wrong.  Well, is there a right and wrong or is it just a different way.  I don't know.  I wish I did because then I would pass it along to you and we could ease so many hearts.  We could say it's ok.  Here are some thoughts for you to ponder and maybe you can come up with some answers. 
     Now that I am much older and have much, much time to sit and ponder and think, I realize I could have done things a lot different.  I know that is what everyone says but hey, why make us so wise now ?  Just what are we suppose to do with it ?  Where are we suppose to go and give all this wisdom away ?  I sure wish I knew that.  It would be a joke to try and tell a young person today some of what I have learned.  They would not understand.  They (I don't know who they are) say people have to make their own mistakes otherwise they do not learn.  You know, this is a quote from someone famous and I'm sorry to say I don't remember who said it....."A smart person learns from his mistakes but a wise person learns from other peoples mistakes."  That is wise.  It would be lovely to have had an angel right by your side guiding you every step of the way.  Tapping you on the shoulder to make you aware,....."Hey, this moment your in right now is something you need to pay attention to and remember."  Wouldn't that have been great.  Tootles

Good Morning !

This is what I have so far.  I bought periwinkles, tulips and mini roses.  To be honest I don't remember what

all I bought.  You know how caught up you get when you are amongst all these beautiful flowers and you  just start grabbing, which I did.  In the one picture you can see I already have Rosemary growing and if you look close you will see Mint right in the center of it.  My Rosemary is blooming and I just love it.  

     Now, I have a confession to make.  Don't judge, ok?  The tiny pink flowers and the white flowers are fake.  Ok, I know that is awful but I did that because I wanted to add a little something.   Besides doesn't it look beautiful.  

     Now, for the good part, all around the rosemary and yes, my fake flowers I have put

This is Just The Beginning !

 Welcome.  Won't you come in and sit awhile ?  How about a cup of Earl Gray to start off ?  We here, at the Dusty Cottage, are so glad you stopped by.  I, myself have so many things to share with you and it's important you are comfortable and happy to be here.  So sit back, relax and enjoy.

This is my front door.  Isn't it just cool ?  My Jim made it.  He knows I love anything that has to do with a cottage so he rounded off the top.  I just love them.  Now that you are at my front door you might as well join us.

One of the things I wanted to share is weight loss.  Have you had any lately?  No, well me neither.  Now here is the good news.  I just had the pleasure of reading a book (I know what you are thinking, Not another diet !) about diets exercise etc., well you get the picture.  What was different about this book is.....the author had no diet to follow.  What, you say?  That is right.  In fact he stated a few facts I would like to share with you.  Let's face it diet plans that limit you to certain foods, do not work, for that matter any diet plan no matter what the foods are involved do not work.  I will say the closest one would be Weight Watchers.  That is because it doesn't really limit you to certain food and it's everyday food.  You don't have to by their products.  I know, you can as I have bought them from WW but what I am saying is, that is your choice as you can make the food yourself.  Getting back to what I was talking about....  We, are the ones who need to change.  Our behavior, attitude, and where we eat.  I know I have a habit of eating in the evening, yes, watching tv.  We know that is the worst.  He states sometimes we eat our of boredom or we think we are hungry when what we are is thirsty.  Just some thoughts to think about.  I will have more later.  Interesting don't you think.
It's very cold here this morning.  We had to cover our citrus trees as lots of frost.  Our animals are doing fine.  The house cats, Elviria, Eleanor and Edgar are fine.  The house dogs, Tasha, Bella and Olivia are also fine as all of them are in out of the cold.  Now our outside animals I do worry about even though they do have a shelter to stay in.  We have out goats, Alice and Rosalie. Our rooster, Tweet Tweet, who has beautiful colorful feathers. Seven chickens and one baby chick.  Plus we have 7 pigeons and one baby pigeon.  And last but not least we have Elvis, who is a black cat that showed up one day as a little kitty.  We have tried to get him to come in the house but he refuses.  So he stays in the shelter with the goats.  Will be talking about our animals at varies times so wanted you to know them.

I have started getting plants for the yard.  They are so pretty in the stores.  Here is my plan.  Everytime I go to the grocery store I can buy two plants.  I have decided to only get yellow and purple flowers.  Maybe some blue.  Just want to have some kind of a theme.  I love those colors.  Several years ago I had a Moon Garden.  It was beautiful.  At that time we had a little pond in our back yard and I only bought white or silver plants to put around it.  When we had a full moon it was like it was glowing.  I just love it.  So I'm deciding where to put my yellow and purple flowers as they are still inside, it's just too cold to put them outside yet. 

Another thing I am going to do is go to the Farmers Market, I joined or I should say signed up for "Local Harvest".  They let you know where the farmers markets and organic farms are in your area.  I'm very excited about that as I have discovered some in my area very close by so this should be good.  My Jim is also going to plant some veggies for us. So the spring seems very promising for us

I have discovered to just Believe and everything works out.  Here's to a Healthy, Happy New Beginning.  Talk to you soon.  Tootles

The Sun is out !!

Elviria is thrilled !  Oh, what is that coming through the window, it's warms and oh so bright ?  THE SUN !  It has been many, many days since we have seen it.  Oh, I can't believe what a difference it makes.  You just get in a better mood and to be able to sit by a window and feel the warmth......heaven. 
   
     Have you put away all the Holiday decorations ?  You know we all love the holidays and we all love them to be over. Ha !  If you can stay away from all the advertising and scams then it's much better.  I know that is hard to do.  I do love the excitement and getting in the spirit of the holiday but I certainly do not need to be bombarded with all the ads and hype.  Just very glad it's over and the next holiday is Valentines.  I know, I know, we will be bombarded with hype again but with all my strength I will avoid it and just enjoy the sweet and lovely Valentines Day.

     Have you joined the gym yet ?  Or are you back at the gym ?  Jim and I have started our routine again.  I have to admit I do love it.  You just feel better and better.  Besides we have meant some great people.  We are getting out and moving and that's very important.  Don't delay......go and join.  Tootles and Doodles

Happy New Year !

This is my pretty Tasha.  What a sweet dog she is, even if she is self centered and thinks all the toys are hers.  Ha!  We got her on Craigslist and never regretted it for one minute.  The sun is shinning brightly on that day but not today as we are to have rain today and tomorrow.  Then next week it looks like sun, sun, sun.  Yeah !  I do miss the sun.

These are our other two dogs.  Olivia on the arm of the couch and Bella in the chair.  What little scampers they are and sadly little beggars thanks to my husband.  We love them dearly and enjoy all their personalities along with our 3 cats which are indoors also.  We do have a cat outdoors, that Jim started feeding as it was a stray and we have tried to get it to come in but he, Elvis, that is what Jim named him is just too scared to come in.  So we feed it outside and enjoy it.  Tootles

Rosalie and Alice

 Rosalie and Alice Wishing All of You Happy Holidays !
     Are they not the sweetest looking girls you have ever seen ?  Believe me they are a blast to play with.  They will run towards you going sideways with their heads tilted.  It is so cute.  Then when you go out to feed them if they are in the far corner of the yard, here they come lickity split on a dead run.  My whole family just loves them and we do have a great time playing with them.
     Is everyone ready for Christmas?  Two days left.  As if I'm telling you something you don't already know.  Between the TV and the Internet you are kept up to the minute especially if you are ordering on line.  I will be doing my shopping on the 24th.  Yes, that is right as I told you last time that is when the money is coming in for the Holidays.  Help!  Hey, I just as well put a good spin on it and have a great time.  I have my list of things to buy for gifts and I want to be able to look around in case I see something else.  Then before Jim and I hit the grocery store for Christmas dinner, we are going to eat out, ourselves.  Usually we do not.  I generally always cook meals at home except for the occasional pizza but hey, we are going to be out and you know we will be getting hungry and this way we will be going to the grocery store, full which is always better.  We will pick a place which is locally owned.  None of the chain restaurants, besides we have a great variety to choose from.  If I let my husband pick he will want Chinese, I'm almost sure and there is a great one in Chico and their food is yummy.  I also like Chinese but am leaning towards Italian so we will have to see.
     

Yesterday my Granddaughter came up and we made popcorn balls.  When she was small she made them with my Mom, so we decided we would honor my MOM and her Great Grandmother.

What a great time we had.  My other two Granddaughters and my daughter in law also shared in our fun.  The syrup could have been cooked a little longer as when we took a bite it lashed on to our teeth and would not let go.  I'm sure my MOM was on the side lines snickering about that.  Oh how she would have loved to have been here and believe me we would have loved her being here with us.  Merry Christmas Ada Belle, you are missed !  Tootles and Doodles

December 20, Monday 2010

It's raining cats and dogs here in Northern California. Yikes !  This is suppose to be the Happiest time of the year.....well let me tell you, It is not.  It is very dreary, and cold to top it off.  You look outside and the rain just keeps coming down, down, down.  Sometimes it's sprinkles, sometimes it's drizzles, sometimes it's pouring, and sometimes it's a deluge of rain that you swear someone has a power hose pointed at your window.  Now I ask you, what kind of Holiday season is this suppose to be.
     Hey, I have another one for you, speaking of dreary, we won't get our check for Christmas shopping until Dec. 24.  Now how is that for Holiday Spirit.  We will have one day to buy gifts, buy food for Christmas and any extra's.  ONE day.  Will I be able to do it in this rainy, road slick weather.  Well, I will, or I should we will try our best and be very very careful.
     Must say Have a Very Merry Christmas !  I do mean that from the bottom of my heart.  It's not the gifts that are important.  It isn't necessary to have fancy food, what is important is who you will be celebrating with.  Make sure it's the people you dearly love.  You know the ones who always bring a smile to your face, make you feel good by just being around them.  The kind of people who would do anything for you all you have to do is ask.  Sometimes it's friends and sometimes it's family.  Just be grateful you have them around and for those who are not looking forward to certain Uncle's or Aunt's or a family member your not so crazy about maybe you should look a little harder and soften your heart.  You just might not know their story.   Tootles and Happy Holidays