Thursday, June 3, 2021

Humble Beginnings and a Simple Life

 Yep - that title explains me!  Began life very simply and still maintain that kind of lifestyle.  
I have relayed many a story about my childhood to you all.  It was simple, it was humble, it was poor (not poverty), it was good in my eyes.

I know there were many of my school mates that probably thought we lived lesser lives than them.  No I didn't have name brands - no I didn't have many store bought clothes - no our house wasn't fancy - no my parents didn't make a lot of money - no we didn't go on vacations - no we didn't have a lot of 'junk' from the stores.
Shoot I remember getting a REAL bathtub put in the house (not just a washtub!).  I remember the first TV we got.  I remember the old ringer washer - used into my teens.  I remember the first drier in the house - I was in upper teens.  We never had AC - except a window unit in the kitchen after I left home.
BUT I DO remember things were good.  I was loved.  I had a roof and food and clothes.

This is still how I feel today.  These things make us richer than a huge part of the people in this world.  What else do we really NEED?

This is the house I grew up in - it looks lovely.  It wasn't always that way.  My folks said when they first moved in (way before me) that it had no paint and no landscaping, super run down  - and no real grass.  But they could afford the payment.  They ended up buying the house on contract and the total sum paid was $4,800.  They paid it off when I was little.  Lots of love, cleaning, upkeep and work went into it.
It had a living room, dining room, eat in kitchen and small bath on the main floor and 2 attic rooms (no doors) upstairs.  My folks had 6 children and got to raise 5 of them all in this house (had a baby that died at birth).  All those people and 2 bedrooms (for a while the dining room was used as a bedroom)!!!!!  I slept on a daybed type of thing at the foot of Mom & Daddies bed for several years.  Guess that explains no more kids after me - LOL!!!!!
We had an indoor toilet and an outhouse - then got a tub when I was around 8 or 9.  It was like a swimming pool to me!!!  I was a child when they got a furnace put in - the house was heated with a coal stove up till then.

All grown up - I got married and moved away and was swayed to spend, spend, spend for a few years due to the example my ex gave (as well as his parents).  I soon learned that just having tons of  things wasn't what I wanted and debt SUCKED!  I would much rather have less and no debt and happiness.

Then I met my love and a new life began.  He had purchased this home just about the time we met.  We were very early 30's and he had decided he needed stability and to quit wasting money. 
The home was stuck in the 60's/70's inside - but a little work and it was transformed.
We did gutters, siding, windows and doors, fencing, a new kitchen and mostly new bath - we even finished half of the basement.  We did all the remodeling inside ourselves.
Those pretty kitchen cabinets I have shown you - were stock from of all places K-Mart.  They had a home dept. back in the day.  We waited till I got bonuses from my job - to do new projects.  We were very prudent with how we spent our precious dollars.  We shopped deals.
The only time we bought brand new furniture wasn't until 2002 - we married in 1986.  I still have that furniture.
Before that we had hand me downs, yard sale finds, and a couple things parents gifted us new.
We both drove older used vehicles.
We didn't buy a new car until after the house was paid in full - it was the only new vehicle either of us ever had.  We paid payments for 2 years - then paid it off.

We worked hard to pay the house off as soon as possible, as we knew there was a good chance that Glen would become disabled at some point and not be able to work.  We saved and invested as much as possible.
We never took vacations - our vacations was camping with friends.  Simple but fun.  We took drives for fun as well.
Our very first major purchase as a married couple - were cemetery plots!!!  LOL  How romantic.  It was actually a buy one - get one deal and we purchased the marker as well.  We made payments on that.
I think that was about the only thing other than the house that we ever put on a payment plan. (until car for 2 years)

        My front walk this spring.  Some may think over grown - I love it.  That is what matters.

My home was built in 1947 - just 7 years older than me!  (yep, we are both old).  2 bedroom and one small bath.  It cost us less money than our Blazer did!!!   Only one bedroom is actually a bedroom - the other is overstock pantry, office and kitty room.  Small is the word (less than 1000 sq. ft.).  Nothing is fancy or new.  Many things are off kilter, need replaced, worn, need painted, etc. (on my list)
This WAS a very nice up and coming neighborhood in it's day.  Probably considered the modern middle class area.  Now it is getting tired and a little run down (we have more renters than owners around).  Houses are close together.  Most houses are similar.  There are some questionable characters around. May be considered lower middle class or lower class neighborhood now.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?  Mine is paid for and it is mine.  Taxes are low.  I can afford to maintain.  I try to keep a little 'nature' in my world.

I have people ask me all the time when I am moving away from here.  I could move to a nicer neighborhood or to the country - I can afford that.  Maybe I may have to at some point - I aint getting any younger you know!
But until I have to, well I am more than content.  I don't have a lot of material stuff - but I am good with that.  I love what I DO have.  My folks would be proud of what we did financially.  As hard as they worked (they even had their own business for years) - they never accumulated what we did.  Of course they had children - but I know they would be proud!
We worked hard at what we have and to be financially stable.  I am so thankful we were of the same mindset and I am thankful we planned.
Stability was more important than stuff to both of us.

So if you want to be impressed with a fancy home and fancy neighborhood or a fancy zip code - my house isn't where you want to go.  I live a simple, low cost, but BLESSED life!!!
I don't need new and fancy to be happy.  I don't need modern and high tech.  I don't need a lot of stuff to burden me.  I don't need a lot of room.
I just need a home that HUGS me when I walk in.  


There is much to be said for simple living.  There is much to be said about being prudent.
There is much to be said about just being YOU and not trying to impress others.
IMPRESSING others is my least concern and never enters my mind.  I am me - like it or leave it.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.
Stay humble and live simply!


Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Some Summer Tasty Recipes for Those Busy Days

 Yep - more foody ideas!  Now that summer is upon us (in our part of the world) - we all get busy, and it gets hot.  If you are like me, you hate heating the kitchen up for hours to prepare yummy bites.  Here are a few ideas on things that are just plain tasty and easy and again frugal for the most part!

CHEESE & OLIVE ON RYE
1 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 C ripe olives, chopped
1 C dried beef - chopped (I use Buddig's)
Mix this all together.  Spread on party rye (or whatever small bread you choose).  Place under the broiler for about 5 minutes until bubbly.  Super easy for a quick appetizer or even dinner (yes I have) with a little salad!


VEGETABLE SQUARES
2 rolls of crescent rolls
2 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz. ea.)
1 C mayo
1 packet ranch style dressing mix
1 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
1 bunch green onions
1 large firm tomato
(this would be great way to use fresh garden produce)

Spread dough on a full size baking sheet and bake according to instructions on rolls.  Cool.  Beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Add mayo and dressing mix.  Spread over cooled dough.  Chop veggies in small pieces and spread evenly over cream cheese  Cover and refrigerate about an hour before serving. 
You could use about ANY type of fresh veggie you want for this.


BEAN SALAD
(No Mayo)
2 - 3 (15 oz.) cans dark kidney beans (drained)
1/2 C - 1 C chopped onion
3/4 - 1 C sweet pickles (diced) or sweet relish (what I use)
3 - 4 hard boiled eggs - diced
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
2 - 3 Tbsp. sugar
Combine all ingredients.  Keep refrigerated.
This keeps well in the frig for a long time.


EASY NO BAKE CHEESECAKE
1 - 8 oz. pack of cream cheese
1 small container Cool Whip
about 1/3 C sugar
Let cheese and Cool Whip softened and then blend all items together until very smooth.
Place in a premade graham cracker crust or a homemade crust.  If making your own - think about using ginger snaps or chocolate cookies for something different.
Top with whatever topping you desire.
I love this stuff! - I think I could sit down and eat and eat if I thought I wouldn't be sick!!!  So light and fluffy and super easy.


JAZZY CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
Good old stand by
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
topped with 8 oz. jar of your favorite jelly or jam 
Serve with crackers
Many use jalapeno jelly with this - but any type will do just fine.  Super easy and yummy
(great appetizer for that unexpected company!!!!!!)


NO BAKE COOKIES (Oatmeal Fancies)
2 C sugar
1/4 C cocoa
1/3 C milk
1/2 C butter/margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt
1/3 C crunchy (or not) peanut butter
3 - 31/2 C - oatmeal (uncooked)

Cook sugar, cocoa, milk and butter for 1 minute after it starts to boil.  Remove from heat.  Mix in next 3 ingredients.  While still hot - pour over oatmeal.  Mix well.  Drop by teaspoon on waxed paper or greased cookie sheet.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Been making these all my life!!!!  Probably the first thing I ever 'cooked' by myself!!!!!


Just wanting to give a lot of reminders that we don't have to stay in the kitchen all summer if we don't want to.  Fun food is always a neat thing to have around in the summer.  Quick and cool bites are refreshing and filling.

Take care and ENJOY!

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Fun Tips and Goodies

 Happy June all!
Today I am just listing a few fun and tasty ideas for having fun with food!

Tortillas are very versatile.  Most people think of burritos.  Oh my, they are tasty for so much more.
There isn't a thing that you can not put in them.
Burritos - Mexican or Breakfast
Meat/cheese/veggie roll-ups or wraps
Fruit - cream cheese - melted chocolate
They can be a meal or they can be appetizers.  No limit at all.  It is a fun and cool summer food.  I make meat and cheese and/or veggie rolls a lot in the summer.  Just downright tasty, frugal and easy.  I love chocking them full of summer veggies for a light and frugal meal.  This is a favorite summer food for me.
Can be left whole or can be sliced for easy bites.  You can make several different types using different ingredients and then slice for a great variety in bites and appetizers.

If you have never had fresh tortilla's - you are missing out!  They are magnificent.  So much better and lighter than the ones you buy.  Give it a shot -they are very easy to make.

Grilling fruit and veggies is a great idea.  You can grill about anything.  I love peaches and pineapple grilled.  It just intensifies the sweet flavor.  They are good alone or served with ice cream!!!!!  Oh my.
I am keen of grilled zucchini, squash, corn, potato slices, asparagus - even green beans. 
You can grill anything.  NO grill?  That is OK.  You can use an indoor grill if you have one (like George Foreman) or you can use a griddle or cast iron skillet.
Flavors become so intense when grilled and veggies and fruits just taste different.

Don't forget PACKET meals!  Those foil packets that contain veggies and a meat source.  They can thrown on the grill, or over a fire or even in the oven.  Flavors meld together and these are so easy and tasty and CLEAN-UP is a cinch!  You can put anything you can imagine in one of these packets.  Seafood, ground meat, sausage, potatoes, carrots, onions, squash, fresh green beans...........

Gardens will soon be producing so many yummy goodies.  Think outside the box a bit when using it all.
Fried green tomatoes
Breaded and fried green beans, asparagus, zucchini, okra, peppers, onions....
Grilled onions, squash, beans, etc.
Fried corn - grilled corn
Tomatoes, cukes (or zucchini) and onion  salad with dressing
Pickles and relishes
Salsa and sauces
Roasted veggies of all sorts.
Casseroles loaded with veggies
Salads loaded with different veggies
          Too much lettuce?  Oh yum - wilted lettuce.  My mouth drools just thinks about this!

DID you know?
  • Adding tomato to roasts will naturally tenderize the meat.  Tomatoes contain an acid that works well to break down meats.
  • One pound of b/s chicken equals approximately 3 cups of cubed chicken
  • When grilling fish - rule of thumb is 5 minutes on each side per inch of thickness.  Rub with oil before grilling to seal in moisture
  • When cooking greens - add a teaspoon of sugar to the water to help veggies retain their color
  • Remember to use that garden mint or lemon balm in your teas - makes for a refreshing ice tea.  Can use alone in water and sweeten as you wish for a natural 'tea'.  Pick and dry for future use.  Place a few fresh leaves of mint at the bottom of your cup of hot tea or hot chocolate
  • When serving cold soups or salads in summer - chill dishes as well
  • When making fresh juice - one lemon yields about 1/4 C juice and one orange yields about 1/3 C juice.  Roll the fruit on the counter under your palm to release the maximum juice
  • Place orange peels or other peels (clean) and whole cloves and cinnamon sticks in cheesecloth and steep in hot cider or tea for about 10 minutes
  • Save and freeze over ripe fruit for making sweet breads/muffins or for smoothies
  • You know all that juice that is in the bottom of the bowl of cut-up watermelon?  Save it - freeze in ice cube trays - great added to summer drinks.
Well there is a few 'make the most of it' tips!  No waste - use in a new way.
Hope these give someone an idea or two for fun foodie ideas for the coming months. 
Keep it EASY - Keep it TASTY - Keep it FRUGAL

ENJOY

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Weekly Wrap-Up 5/30

Happy Sunday!  Happy last Sunday of May!  
Happy Memorial Day to all of my U.S.  readers this weekend.  Saying that, I really see it as a somber day, not a day for celebrations, as it has become.  Today is a special day set aside to remember all our fallen men & women who have died for our freedoms.  It doesn't matter your country - we all have these precious people (and their families).  They should be remembered and honored as the heroes they all are.
You can like or dislike what is going on in the world - but always think of the fallen with reverence.


I can hardly believe it is already the end of May.  I still don't have all the garden in.  Last Sunday I mentioned how we went from March to July in a week - well this week we went from July to March in 2 days!!  It has gotten down in the low 40's the last couple nights!  We also had rain and super windy conditions.  Holy cow!  Crazy stuff.
I am finishing up the garden today!!  We had a day or two that close to 90* - then boom!  AC and heat both got used this week!!  
Went from tank tops and barefoot to sweatshirts and socks again - GEESH!

I saw my first hummingbird of the season yesterday!  It was actually just sitting on the fence last evening.  I bet it was wondering why the heck it came back.
The air smelled so good this week - clover is every where and the air has just been sweet beyond sweet.

Today is the 500 Mile Race here in my city - and it has seemed kind of neat and old fashioned this AM.  I can't begin to tell you how many times this morning already, I have seen bi-planes flying over the house with advertising banners being pulled behind them!  It just made me giggle - as it reminds me of the days gone by.  I am not sure if they plan the air force fly over or not this year - I always get a flutter in my heart seeing them.  They fly right over my house when leaving.
It is a sunny day, the wind of the past couple days has died down, and temps should be lovely - so praying they have a safe race.

My week:
  • I freshened up the bark in 2 longer beds - with stuff I had in the garage left from last year
  • Ran to my brothers and picked up my tiller while out
  • I did stop and get a few plants for the garden
  • I got gas with a .30/gal. discount - it was so nice to be able to easily fill my tank AGAIN after the fix
  • Got the garden all tilled - tilled in 2 - 5 gal. buckets of ash my neighbor saved for me
  • Made up 10 pots of flowers so far - have a few more to do today
  • Got rid of some broken and split containers - but reused the dirt in others.
  • As stated earlier this week - got the Blazer fixed.  Cost $35 - saved over $500 if I had gone to the shop
  • Laundry, cleaning, scratch cooking
  • Mowed and trimmed the entire yard (on a dry and warm day)
  • Picked several more bouquets
  • Cut my hair
  • Salvaged another 'store' jar to use for my soup mixes this holiday season
  • Paid all the bills I had on hand
Meals this past week:
Leftover broc./cheese/chicken rice and salad
Summer sausage, cheese, Triscuits & fruit smoothie
Tuna salad sandwich and chips
Beef/bean/potato skillet
Burrito made from leftover bean/beef mix & fresh veggies
Pasta & veggie salad (heavy on veggies)
Loaded cheese burger and baked beans & chips

How was your week?  Did you get much done?  Stay frugal?  Deals?

                      When you run out of bud vases and your bouquet is big - go Solo cup!!!!!!

I hope and pray you are are healthy and safe.  If you do get to be with family this weekend, please stay safe but enjoy your time together.
Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.


Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Amen - and to lay down your life for strangers - what a humbling act.  God bless all that have sacrificed all and bless their families.  We are eternally grateful and humbled.

                                                   Crown Hill Cemetery



Thursday, May 27, 2021

Eat Well and Keep it Frugal

 It is always easier to eat frugally in the summer - so many garden options to choose from.  But you can eat well and stay frugal all year.  You just have to remember that you do NOT need a 3 course meal every evening (I don't care what they say) - and you can keep breakfast and lunch easy.  
More times than not I eat one main meal a day and that is it!!!  I have a breakfast drink - I eat a larger meal late afternoon and then maybe a small snack a bit later.  I stay healthy and have energy - so it isn't hurting anything.
No need for 3 meals wither - that is just a habit.

I can make a pack of buns or bread last a long while.  I like to make and use biscuits and also use a lot of tortillas.  They are so easy to make and even cheap to buy.

BREAKFAST
Make a yummy fruit smoothie
Make breakfast burritos or biscuits (add egg, cheese and perhaps meat)
Granola bars are yummy

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY GRANOLA BARS
3 C rolled oats or 2 C oats and 1 of rice Krispies (or what you have)
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C jelly or jam
1/4 C hot water
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven 350*.  Grease an 8 x 11 pan or what you have - you may need to adjust cooking time with different pan.
Pour oats (cereal) in large bowl
Place peanut butter, half of jelly and water and salt in a small saucepan - heat and stir till smooth
Pour over the oats and mix well.  Dump into baking dish and spread out.
Cover with rest of jelly.
Bake about 25 minutes.  You want the edges toasty and golden.  Cool for about an hour and cut into bars.

You can add extra - 1/2 C chopped nuts
1/2 C shredded coconut
1/2 C chopped dried fruit
1/2 C honey instead of jelly
Add then while mixing up oats if desired

LUNCH
Think about something exciting and different than just a sandwich.  I like to use a dense and hearty bread (like Italian) sliced and toasted then topped with all kinds of things.
You can top with sliced tomato and cheese, any type of veggie, avocado, apples and cheddar, sauteed mushrooms or grilled onion and swiss.  Bruschetta is a yummy bite.  Cream cheese and fruit is tasty.
There isn't anything that you can't top bread with.  You can toast the bread and add toppings or you can broil after adding toppings.  Whatever is easy.  It is a nutritious bite of food, easy, and filling.

                                My favorite type of bread for open face tasty sandwiches

Make yourself a big salad - which contain anything and everything you can think of.  Not just fresh veggies of all types, but you can add any meat, nuts, cheese, eggs, croutons, or eat with crackers.  There is no right or wrong way to make salad.
It can be any type of salad.  Potato, slaw, bean, corn, egg, ham, tuna, pasta, veggie......................
I like just dicing up tomatoes, cucumbers (or zucchini) and some onion and adding dressing.  That is a summer favorite for me.  Cool and refreshing.  Uses what I have.
These would all be great for a light dinner as well!!

DINNER
Keep it simple, especially in the warmer weather.
Make a casserole, soup (cold or hot), just throw together a one pot wonder or have a burger and side salad.  Make a special gilled sandwich and a side of any fresh veggie.  
Fancy up a grilled sammie - add meat, cheese, veggies, mac n cheese - anything you want

Top potato slices with cheese, onions or anything and bake till done.  Great alone or with a sandwich or burger or meatloaf
Baked or grilled tomato topped with parm or other cheese and green onions.  YUM  My goodness you can do cucumbers this way or zucchini - anything.  Get creative!!
Easy and cheap one pot dish - cabbage, potato chucks and a bit of smoked sausage or ham.  You can add rice instead of potato (above).  It is all good!!!!
OR just a simple burger, fresh veggies w/dressing and a handful of chips or crackers

Life can be tasty, easy and very frugal.  You just need to venture out of your comfort zone once in a while.  As long as you are full - you don't have to follow any rules.  Make your own rules.

EAT WELL - EAT FRUGAL
ENJOY!!!!



Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Success in a Day

 Yay, yesterday was finally successful on many fronts.
I got the garden tilled up and I worked on a bunch of large pots for container gardening.  Several had split and broken - so I whittled out the bad ones and repurposed all the dirt to other pots.  
I was totally whipped when I got all done - and filthy!!!!  It was the hottest day so far this year and a tad bit humid.  That is OK as the weather is about to cool some!
          The garden and a couple of long planters I will use for onions or something else shallow.

Yep, I tilled in flip-flops (I usually do it barefoot) - but have NO flip-flops on in the pic!  That is DIRT stuck to my feet from sweat and muck.  My nails looked like a farmer.  Welp, a little (lot) of scrubbin' and I am back to new again!  LOL
The reasoning for barefoot and flip-slops is - when I was little, one of my fondest summer memories was following Daddy as he plowed the garden.  I always walked in the dirt behind him and was always barefoot.  There is something about it that takes me back to childhood and Daddy.  I love the feel of the dirt between my toes!  Not smart - I realize, but it is how I have done things for years.
It is kind of like the smell of fresh mown grass - that reminds me of grade school.  Sitting in class with the windows open and the gardener would be mowing and that smell just wafted right through the windows!  I still think of that when I smell that smell.

The Blazer is done and the gas intake thing is fixed!!  It will be a joy to pump gas now and it won't take me forever to do it.  I am so excited. (It sure doesn't take anything fancy to please me!!)
It cost about $35 in parts and he fixed the expensive thingy himself - blew and washed it out.  Had he replaced it - just the part would have cost almost $200 (quoted from parts place).  Had I had it done at the shop - I would have been looking at $500 plus.
One more thing off the to do list.
                                               The 'shade tree mechanic' at work.

Flowers are popping.  You who have peonies, know what happens when they bloom and we get a storm.  They all fall over.  Mine are so laden with blooms at the moment that they are doing that on their own.  I have never had such blooms.  Maybe this is a good sign for growing things this year!
Those green spots are where the flowers have just fallen over from weight.  My garden is just to the right of these and it sure smelled good while tilling!!!!
I have a couple very old climbing roses that have gone back wild - but I love them.  They just seem simple and old fashioned.  Full of buds too.
                           First bloom on the clematis vine for the year.  Lots of buds.
                                      Blackie trying to stay cool on a hot summer day.

Momma and Fluff sitting on their rugs on the greenhouse deck catching the breeze.  It has to be hot with all that fir.  Later in the day Fluff went out and was laying in the shade  under the peony plants!  Smart kitty.

So the day ended nicely.  I laid across the bed after a shower and eating a bite and BOOM I was out like a light.  Only slept about a half hour - but I went out fast.

Today is another new day - and hoping to get some more things done.  I have such a list and so much to do - at least I am making some headway!
It has started raining - so my work will be inside today.  Temps are supposed to cool a bit after the rain.

It seems I have let so much go the past 2 years - just didn't have the gumption to do much.  Well, it is time to get things fixed and back in order.  It HAS to be done.
Off and at it again.

Have a wonderful, blessed and productive day.


Tuesday, May 25, 2021

No Good Deed......

 I do believe this to be true (not for me) this week.  My neighbor is trying to help me with my Blazer doing some of the smaller (LOL) projects that have needed done.  He is a good guy - but I know why he is doing so much.  He feels he is helping out his buddy Glen.  Well truth is he is helping buddy Glen's wife.  He would  have done anything for Glen and vice versa.  They were true buds - through and through.

Well for him - no good deed goes unpunished  Poor guy.  He started working on the flow tube on the gas tank (where the fuel flows to tank).  It hasn't been accepting gas well - it keeps causing the pump to turn off.  Has to do with gas flow and air venting.  Well it wasn't what he thought - then he found out what it probably is - and it is in a weird angle to get to and according to him it has Martian connectors!!!!  Never seen anything like it.
Nothing as easy as first thought.


Well before he started that I went and picked up my little tiller from my brother.  He has used it a ton this spring.  After working on flowers and bark a bit - I decided later in day to till.
The whole dang thing came apart with one tug!!!!!  LOL  Trust me I am not that strong.
Well, bless his heart - the neighbor  stopped and worked on that.  Did several things on it.  (It is old and actually came from the trash many years ago).  It got to running - then I had a problem with vine type weeds wrapping the tines and it stopped.  SIGH!!!!
By then it was just too hot to continue.  Will try again Tuesday.
Do I really want a garden??????  
Yeah - but the above picture may hold true for next year!!!!!!!  LOL

So Tuesday he goes to pick up part for Blazer (they didn't have it Monday), then more work.  He mentioned he would look at tiller again.
It sure was one of those days.  At least he has my car in his back yard under his huge shade tree - my drive is cement and in full sun.  I can't even imagine how hot that would have been.

I pay for parts and I always make sure he is paid for his labor (if he will take anything).  I have given him gift cards for groceries and eating out over time as well.
I don't want to take advantage - but I think he just feels obligated.

So it has been one of those days.  I did get many flower pots planted and more bark down.  It got to almost 90* and it was pretty darn warm!
A cool shower sure felt good.
So hopefully today turns out better!

Cherish your friends!  They really can be a Godsend in so many ways.
I thank God everyday for my family and friends!

Have a great day!!!!!