Thursday, July 18, 2019

Hot & steamy, blooms, part-time work

Hello Friends ~ It's been just about a month since my last post.Time is zipping right along, each week is gone before I know it.

Remember the dead raccoon? Well, there was another one, which makes me think they must have been poisoned, because it was at the same time. The smell for the most part is GONE and that's wonderful.

I washed and hung out a load of laundry this morning, then cut back some overhanging limbs into the driveway, did a little other trimming that needed doing, bagged it up and put it and limbs out to be picked up tomorrow. Put tools away, came inside and checked the temp, 89, but with the humidity, real feel is 96. I am sitting here drinking water.

By the way, am using little a.c. again, as for some reason the water has clogged up in my Friedrich's again so that even though it was draining very good to the outside, it started dripping on the inside. This is very frustrating to me, to say the least. If my husband was here, he would have fixed the problem by thinking outside the box. The a.c. man does what he knows how to do and is good at it, so I don't have a complaint there, and he doesn't charge me. It will get fixed one of these days, for now, I'm not going to stress about it as the little a.c. is keeping it cool in here, maybe not as cool as I would like, but it is comfortable, and I am thankful.

Tuesday morning my Srs. Bible study had a bday brunch for one of our members who turned 92. I made a sausage gravy biscuit casserole. Found the recipe here.: Biscuits, sausage gravy casserole. It was easy and a big hit, no left-overs. I need to make it up for myself and freeze it in small portions.


We need rain again. I mowed last week won't have to do it this week.






In spite of little rain, things are still blooming. I do hand water and use my sprinklers on designated days. Grass does not get watered. I have to pay for water and grass isn't a necessity.  It looks pretty good in these photos. It's just starting to get dry looking.

Here are some blooms happening here. Below is Giant Milkweed.


Photos below are of Texas Sage. I love the silvery green foliage and of course the purple flowers.






This is a pic of 2-3 different kinds of vines hanging off the back shed. I just haven't had the heart to pull them off yet. I will when I have to go into the shed.


Plumbago and Miss Joachim, vanda orchid.



 Tropical Lilac
  

Cross rocks for GriefShare attendees. I have a few more to make.

 

This is the start of a little blanket for a sweet baby girl born about a week ago with heart problems and Down Syndrome. Her name is Sara, please keep her in your prayers. She's been hooked up to oxygen also. Found this pattern online, sweet and easy. Here is the you-tube link - part 1.  Beautiful shells blanket



Now, here is an answer to prayer for me, part time work, close to home. As some of you know, I lost the job I'd had for 17 years, 2 1/2 years after my husband left this planet. My boss decided to sell the building we were in and move across the state. That was the end of an era for me. I've been looking on Craig's List, etc. for part-time work. Have checked out craft stores, and other stores, and one of the requirements is to be able to lift 50 lbs. Well, I have to say that is not going to happen with me. Any other jobs I saw as potential, just weren't right. So, I've just been praying about some kind of part time work to supplement my small ss check and trying not to be overly anxious about any of it. God provides and works things out.

This past Sunday morning, I was talking to an elderly friend from my Bible study and she told me how she needs someone to work for her Mon-Wed-Fri mornings doing light cleaning work. She does not want to go to a nursing home. She's very independent at almost 94 years old. So, Sunday afternoon I visited her for 2 hours and yesterday morning I started working with her. We both feel this is an answer to prayer for both of us, we were friends first, and we both just feel happy about this arrangement. She lives 2.5 miles from me. ;-) She crochets, reads, plays games, watches movies, and is quite the character. She's been a widow for 35 years. 

She had people come from agencies to work for her and ended up having things pilfered, and that was discouraging for her. For as long as this lasts, I am thankful. We both are not getting any younger. She inspires this 70 year old with her spunk.  Keep us both in your prayers. We both hit it off with each other when we first met at the beginning of this year and have been telling each other, I love you, for months.

Ok, that's about it from Plum Cottage. I am feeling like getting horizontal for my afternoon nap.

Enjoy each day that you are blessed with. Hug those you love and tell them you love them. Those you can't hug, write them a note, send a text, or call them, but let them know they are special to you.

FlowerLady

31 comments:

Rebecca said...

I've been checking in, waiting for a new post, praying you were ok, etc.! So happy for update and photos of Plum Cottage

We are under heat advisory through the weekend. Heat index of 100-110!

My father fell about a month ago, so I've been trying to help him recover, Dr. appts. urging him to "eat a little"...he's 92. Thankful he lives here with us.
I'm so happy to hear of your new job. Companionship and help so important for the aged among us.

We've had a couple of short, shared times with our children and grands...

I need to add some exercise to my life, but this heat makes it difficult for me to get started!

Your crosses are beautiful. I know they will be appreciated...

Ruth Hiebert said...

Praise God for giving you this part time job.That is just like our God. Love your flowers.Hope your days are filled with joy and peace.

Nancy J said...

Part time, close to home, and a lady who needs you, this is a wonderful answer. Love the garden, and the a.c. it will get fixed in time. Maybe there is a small leak in the hose that takes the water to the outside? Down here we have had so much rain, lawn is bogged, but spring bulbs are starting to flower., so far ONE daffodil, One earlicheer, and a few snowdrops. Best of all, some of the tulip bulbs are showing. Well, there are green tips a few inches high, Hugs to you from down south.

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

So sad about the raccoons, glad the odor is gone. I completely understand how you miss your husband being able to repair things. I keep trying to watch as my husband repairs things around the house ( in case one day, he may not be able to) .....but oh, I dont think I can do the things he knows how to do so well! Your biscuit, sausage gravy casserole looks delicious! Your garden and flowers look so pretty. My garden is suffering from the high temps we have had here.........looks very weary.
Your cross rocks are so lovely as well as the sweet little blanket.
Hurray for you to find the perfect job that you enjoy!

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Oh Lorraine that's wonderful, truly an answer to your prayers!!!! Congrats on the new job!

Ann said...

I know how you feel about the ac and how your husband could have fixed it. There have been a few things here that need taken care of and trying to find someone who can do the work is like pulling teeth. It's all stuff that Wade could have easily taken care of
That's wonderful about the part time job and it sounds like a perfect fit.

Debbie Harris said...

Such a happy posting you have shared with us, dear Lorraine!
Those crosses are just beautiful and what a glory to God as they will be used in the lives of others.
Your garden is always a delight to see in pictures,so thank you for sharing your beauty with us. 💗
I am just delighted to hear this news of your part time job and if this isn't the hand of God for sure!
God bless you both as you not only care for her needs, but as the two of you minister to one another in sweet,sweet fellowship.

Such a praiseworthy posting!

Love to you sweet lady ❣

Morning's Minion said...

I can only imagine trying to garden in your climate! We have to tend to outside work here either early morning or in the evening at dusk.
Your flowers are so lovely--the trade-off for enduring tropical heat.

Terra said...

That part time job is ideal for you and the lady you will be working for, a blessing on both sides. In my church Widow Friends group, one older lady hired a younger member to drive her once a week to an appointment, another ideal arrangement.

Henny Penny said...

I love your cozy little place surrounded by lots of flowers. It is so pretty. So glad you got the job. The lady is very fortunate to have you. You are perfect for the job and she sounds like someone you will enjoy being with.

Dewena said...

The new job does sound like straight from heaven, Lorraine. What a blessing you will be for her. I realize more and more how important it will be to stay in my home for as long as possible. And just the companionship will be invaluable and the trust she will have in you. I'm sure she will be a blessing to you too.

Your casserole sounds delicious, anything topped with biscuits does! And I would love to plant some of that Texas sage, must look it up.

I hope you can get the AC problem solved, it will be a long hot summer there. You take care at your new job too, you still have Plum Cottage to look after.

Melanie said...

We are having Florida weather right now in northern IL! Right now it is 102 with the heat index. The humidity is unbearable. We had thunderstorms yesterday morning and my front porch where the welcome mat was lying is still wet. They are saying the heat index today and tomorrow in various places in IL could get as high as 118! I thank God for electricity and working AC. I've been leaving frozen bottles of water in the mailbox for the mailman.

Your new job sounds very ideal! I think I would like something like that myself. My neighbor-friend down the street bought the little house next to her and her elderly mother is moving in next month, but she will have a FT caregiver. I've already been invited to visit anytime I want. ;-)

L. J. Lowe said...

I love all of the photos of your flowers. So beautiful. Prayers that you find a part-time job soon. Stay cool. It's been such a scorcher outside lately.

GretchenJoanna said...

What a gift, this friend coming along with work for you to do, too! It's just the work you know how to do, and having a boss whom you truly love and who loves you back does sound like a heaven-born situation.

I love to see the pictures of your tropical paradise. This time, it's the milkweed that is most interesting to me. So many species of milkweed there are, and I just started having any knowledge of this plant a very few years ago.

Anne Payne said...

It's incredibly hot here on the coast of VA! I don't want to go outside and do anything, even early in the morning. But alas, the birds want to eat and the flowers want a drink. ;-)

I'm glad you found some part time work and it sounds like it's going to be beneficial for you both. The Lord takes care of us!!!

Have a blessed Sabbath tomorrow, my friend.

M.K. said...

Your photos are just lovely, FL!! You know, I always feel that grass is supposed to slowly turn brown as we approach August. The trees turn a tiny bit more brown/green than real green too. Part of the season, and it encourages me that summer is coming to and end and its furnace heat will pass. Phew!

I'm SO excited about your work! It reminded me of an old friend from years ago who lives in around Flagler Beach, FL. She is in her 70s too. For years she had a business/ministry with elderly people in her area, doing just what you are doing -- cleaning mostly, but also driving them (like the airport even, or shopping) when they needed to go. It supplemented her income, and was a huge help to them! Without her, they would've lost their independence. I do think this could be a big answer to prayer for you, and there may be more folks out there who need your help. I bet you could have as much work as you'd want, and none of it is anything beyond what you already do at home. Plus, since you drive, you could do that as well, which is often the one thing that an elderly person needs. So happy for you!

lil red hen said...

I always enjoy seeing the photos of your beautiful flowers.
The casserole would be a wonderful thing to freeze in small containers and have to quickly bring out for supper after a day in the hay field. I must look at the recipe!

Deborah Montgomery said...

So happy to hear about your new work arrangement. Sounds like a wonderful answer to prayer for both you and her. How special for her to have someone in her house she loves and trusts, too.
Your flowers are always lovely, and many so different from what we have here in Michigan. I always enjoy seeing your pictures of them. xo Deborah

R's Rue said...

Beautiful photos.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Lorraine your gardening endeavours inspire me but alas the motivation is missing! Everything looks so lovely at Plum cottage. Congrats on the part time work this just must be a tremendous plus for you and dear oh dear I certainly understand how frustrating it is to not have our dear husbands around to do the fixing. We miss them terribly for many more reasons than their fix-it skills of course!
Hugs
Rose

sonia a. mascaro said...

Hello Lorraine,

What a lovely Garden and flowers!
The sausage gravy biscuit casserole sounds delicious!
The blanket looks beautiful!

Wishing you a lovely Sunday.
Hugs and Love.

PS: I have been so very sad and I miss so very much my dear husband.
Next month will be one year that he passed away and I could not believe that...

I will try to find the book 'Undistracted Widow ~ Living for God After Losing Your Husband' by Carol Cornish.
I don't read well in English but I will try to search in my language, Portuguese.

ellen b. said...

Your garden has some pretty blooms. I'm glad your little A/C is managing to keep you comfortable. Praise the Lord for your part time work opportunity that is a win win situation for you and your friend. Hope you have a wonderful week!

Betty said...

Congrats on the new job, it sounds like the best thing for you both. Your flowers look so pretty. It has been so hot here, but today it feels like spring.

bj said...

your place is looking so pretty with all the blooms...
so glad you are working for your friend..keeping busy is good for us

KathyB. said...

Your biscuits and gravy sound so good right now ! I am loving seeing your yard / gardens. The grass does look lush and green in the pictures , the flowers are so beautiful.

I just read 2 previous blog posts and am always thankful for your kind and loving outlook on life no matter your situation, thank-you !

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

So pleased to read about your new work opportunity - it sounds ideal for both of you - definitely an answer to prayer.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

thank you so much for your comment
wish you lived near
Have a good week

Junkchiccottage said...

This is so exciting to read the news of your new job. I am so excited for you to have this opportunity. What a great match God made on this prayer. One sweet lady needs help and another sweet lady needs to help and get help too. Match made in heaven! So very happy for you.
Hugs,
Kris

BeachGypsy said...

Hello there my friend...you haven't posted in awhile, just checking in on you....hope everything is ok for you down there in beautiful Florida! Was glad to hear of your new job, it sounds like it would work quite well for you and I hope it's turning out as good as you hoped for. I love the pictures of your gardens. I dont care for formal type gardens at all....I love the more cottage or wild type gardens like yours. Hope you'll have time to post what all is in bloom now for us real soon. It's sure hot here and I bet it's just as hot there. Stay cool and take care!

Deb said...

It's wonderful news about the new job and I love the cross rocks. Your garden flowers are just wonderful. Have a great week.

A Joyful Chaos said...

Love all the flowers!

The sausage gravy and biscuit casserole sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing a link to the recipe.

Blessings~