Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Forward Progress :-)

Good afternoon Friends,

Here it is Tuesday, it’s been very warm and humid today, with clear blue skies. Hurray for that, as I was able to wash, hang out to dry and bring back in two loads of laundry.

I think part of my depression over everything was because we were having one gray day after another, with lots of rain.  Light dispels gloom.

Thank you all for your encouraging support, it helps a lot.  Help is coming soon to help me with the taking iron to the scrap yard, and with getting rid of the junk. Getting that bit of news is an answer to prayer, and lets me know that God does care about even the most mundane things in our lives and will take care of them too.

This morning I went out around 8 to get going on weeding and getting rid of overgrowth.  It’s going to take time, but at least I am making forward progress. I felt good, but I had to quit as it was around 11 and too hot to do anymore.  My dear husband was always telling me to not work so hard, for so long, especially when it’s hot.  I took a couple of breaks and drank water too. I was satisfied with what I had done.  Tomorrow weather and God allowing, I’ll do some more.

Before:

07-19-back40

After

07-23-back40

07-23-back40-2

Before

07-19-junk

After

07-23-junk2

07-23-junk

Knowing that help is on the way, really boosted my spirits. I am so thankful to God for working all things out.  I’ll be happy to have a cleaned up piece of property and more at peace, only keeping what is artistic or as some materials, but for the most part the stuff will be gone.  DH will be glad too, as it was one of his last wishes to me, to get rid of the junk. We were working on it but got stopped with the project. He knew I would feel better and could get along nicer in my journey without the junk and stash of iron, so gave me his blessing. He just hated to see stuff go to the landfill.  We’ve used iron and junk with different projects, plus he knew that there was a cash value.  To us, it was like finding money on the side of the road.  I know many can’t live like we have done, and that’s ok, to each his own.  We are all different.

Anyway, clearing away the overgrowth will help me see what there is underneath, and let me see what to keep and what to get rid of. This is a nice, but hard work project.  Skeeter left this comment which was just right this afternoon, “Take it one vine at a time and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel...”  That’s what I am doing. A gardening crew could make shorter work of it all, but that would no doubt be expensive.

A new friend was over yesterday, who hadn’t been here before and she called the place ‘quaint’.  I looked it up online to see what the definition is and this is what I found,

1.
having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque: a quaint old house.
2.
strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way:

I would say that that is a good description of Plum Cottage. DH would most definitely get a kick out of #2, strange, peculiar or unusual. Smile

My friend loved the butterflies, she wasn’t crazy about spiderwebs. She certainly didn’t see the place at the best of times that’s for sure.

I love this place. We moved in here 40 years ago this summer.  There was just the little 50’s cottage here back then, white with mustard yellow shutters, no gardens, no fencing, no outbuildings, just grass and pine trees and other people using our property as their own. Through the years we created a little haven here and I am so very thankful for it.

I love all of the colors of foliage and flowers, the coolness (temperature-wise) created by all of the green overgrowth, Smile the butterflies and birds, and the peace.

This is part of my view as I was dishes.

07-20-view

Zoomed in to see a zebra longwing. I just love seeing them and other butterflies enjoying the various blooms. Plus birds use the huge bird bath.

07-20-view2

Sunset colors the other night.

07-23-sunset

In the mail today I received something I’d forgotten about. Another widow had posted on her blog about this free offer, so I submitted my name and address and the pkg. came today. I had read Miriam’s book early on in my journey and it was a great source of help to me.  I look forward to the CD and using the journal along with it.

07-23-gift

Well, it’s time to think about supper.

Talk to you later. Love, peace and hugs ~ FlowerLady

12 comments:

Terra said...

You made real progress that we can see clearly in your photos, and I love the view from your kitchen window. It looks like a piece of tropical paradise. It is good that some help is being offered, He cares for you.

Balisha said...

What a change you have shown in your pictures. I know how much hard work you are doing. Remember, I cleared most of the woods behind our house. We got some help from the power plant and like you...I was so happy to have the help.
The view from your window is lovely and I especially like the sunset picture.
Don't work too long in the heat...it is so hard on us.I know that your husband is looking down on you with a smile on his face.
Balisha

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

You have already made a lot of progress. Your yard looks very cool and shady and you have a lot of interesting things to see there. I love the cobalt blue glass items. To me, that color glass really glows when it is outside. It looks so pretty in the garden.

Be careful of the heat. I got heat sick last week while out watering and taking pictures for my blog. I lost track of time and the next thing I knew, I was weak, drenched in perspiration, and terribly sick at my stomach. It quickly passed, and I felt good again, but I have been super sensitive to heat and sun ever since. Luckily, for the rest of the week, we are supposed to have temperatures only into the low 80's.

Leslie Kimel said...

Your house and gardens really do seem like a haven. So cozy and comfortable and pretty. I love the view out your kitchen window, and the picture of the sunset over the palm tree. What a beautiful home!

Dawn said...

Hi there! You could probably join Freecycle.com in your area and get rid of all that unwanted stuff with no expense to you whatsoever. You pick who gets to get your stuff, I've used it for years. Just get it taken out to the curb - no interface with the 'receiver' of your stuff is required.
ps. I also love blue glass anything.

Ruth Hiebert said...

There is so much satisfaction in getting the yard cleaned up.I am happy that you got some help,but also that you are able to do so much on your own. Home is where the heart is and yours is obviously at Plum Cottage.

Mrs. Mac said...

One vine at a time .. that is great advice! May the Lord bless and keep you. Xx C

Kit said...

It looks great! We have been doing the same, unloading stuff we will not use and trying not to collect any more...LOL It will get done, slow and sure. Love, Kit

Sunray Gardens said...

That's a lot of hard work. I know everyone doesn't use Roundup, but for me it's a necessity to help keep things at bay.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Anonymous said...

There is no place like home . . . and no better feeling at the end of the day knowing you've accomplished something. And you are accomplishing a great deal - emotionally and physically.

Perfect gardens are over-rated. I think Plum Cottage is perfect. :-)

denimflyz said...

As always, your cottage is the Belle of the Ball.
I love the butterflies. We have just common ones like the Swallowtails, and the little colored ones that look like a patchwork quilt.
One day at a time and I love the "vine" one too.
Please take care and hugs to you my friend.

Rebecca said...

It's quite "quaint" here at Gatescroft, too :). That's the way I like it.

Aren't you thankful for easy photography? It certainly documents progress, doesn't it?

Good for you!