Ten Things In My Yard

I love looking at people's yards when I go out for a drive. It gives me ideas of how I would like mine to look like. I know I am no where near as good as a landscaper as many of the yards I pass by. However I do like to decorate my yard with frogs and other ornaments.

Here are ten things in my yard :

1. My strawberry plant. I bought it from menard's for $9.99. I have got a few very sweet strawberries off it. Not enough to compensate for the cost.

2. This plant is growing extremely well. It is about ready to drop some of it's pieces. I have moved it to an area, where they can quickly take root.

3. I received this frog statue after someone decided to re-do their lawn and no longer wanted it. It weighs over 50 lbs. What color do you think I should repaint it?

4. I bought this frog at a GoodWill last fall. I can place a flag or something in it's right hand. (My right, its left. Lol)

5. I received this frog from a  sister when she moved. She no longer wanted it because the paint was coming off.

6. I picked this frog up from someone no longer wanting it because it no longer looks good. Their trash, my treasure.

7. A red dragon that was given to my boyfriend. It is heavy. It has notches in it because the yard worker doing the yard at the last place we lived at catch it with a weed wacker. He didn't even apologize.

8. This frog will make a sound like a frog when anyone comes near it. It sits right outside my front door. Where I can hear it sitting anywhere in my bedroom or living room.

9. This cross is the only solar light that still works in my front yard. A dog wagging its tail broke it. However, I was still able to have it displayed in my yard. Not as high as it once was.

10. I actually have two of these. The other one is blue. The butterflies use to stand up against a metal rod that held them in place. Til a strong wind tore them off and threw them in the yard. Now I have them laid down in my flower bed. As a way to deter people from walking across my flower bed. unless they use my stepping stones.

I have a lot more things in my yard. More frogs. As I love frogs. Many need to be repainted. I am not sure how to get the old paint off. Or if I should start repainting. I am thinking of doing bright colors to make them stand out.

Anyone know of a good type of DIY paint I can use without worrying it will peel? So, I don't have to re-paint every year?

Challenge : Write about 10 things in your yard.

Monday Madness Writing Link Up

Today is another addition of "Monday Madness Writing Link Up". This is a blog link up of writings from websites and blogs. You can link up as many as you want all week long.

To learn more about it go : HERE I try and have it out by noon each week.

Some of the past writers that have linked up with "Monday Madness Writing Link Up" are :

1. Healthy nature Wellness : has a review for age defying treatment.

2. abitofsunshine :  Shares beautiful photograph which she sells through Zazzle.

3. Wizzley : A review on the book Grandfather twilight by Barbara Berger

4. Succulent Gardening : is a great website to learn how to care for baby toe and other succulents in your garden.

5. Insights From Tom : A religious blog currently, is the law sinful?

6. Dreya's World : principle and Lessons to live by from her perspective.

These are great website to follow and become a loyal reader. Each has their own way of writing that will intrigue you and want you to read more.

An InLinkz Link-up

ABC Challenge : Paranoid

Today, for the ABC challenge I plan to use different words that start with the letter "P". Thankfully Pixabay has plenty of free use photographs for me to use in my blog posts.

I want to talk about a predicament I am in with family. Certain family members have caused drama and undue stress towards my family. I have pushed them away and refuse to talk to them. My family consists of : My teenage daughter, teenage son, over the age 21 year old son, grandson, my boyfriend of 3 and 1/2 years and myself.

Recently, my mother told me my baby sister said Hello. She wanted to start talking again. However, she didn't want her husband mentioned or my boyfriend. A couple days later I seen my sister at our nieces graduation party. She never said hello, waved or anything. As soon as she and her husband noticed my family walking up. They disappeared. We left two hours later. A couple days later mom said my sister didn't say anything because she didn't want to start anything.

I don't think my sister wants to talk to me. As she has made no attempts. She made sure to avoid me as soon as she seen me.

As my sister has my phone number. She can call me, text me or other ways to get a hold of me. She hasn't.

I am sure you are wanting to know what got me to the point of not talking to my sister. Here is my side of the story :

About a year and half to two years ago. My nephew was placed in the hospital an hour away because his asthma was really bad. I ended up traveling with my mother and baby sister to go to the hospital. We were there for three days before we found word my nephew would be pulling through and able to come home in a few days.

During that time, my sister's husband and a bunch of friends created a group on facebook that has been shut down for harassment. My sister was a member of this group, seen everything what was being said, and never said a word. As she was checking her facebook and stuff while at the hospital, on hospital computers. I could tell by the questions she was asking. That they were bait questions. As she really wasn't coming out and asking a certain thing but stepping around it.

After coming home. I found out about the group. The group was accusing my boyfriend of abusing my daughter, choking her and things that were not true. making him sound like a molester, a monster. The group was bashing my boyfriend hardcore. My estranged husband was in this group and reading everything. At that time my daughter was switching psychiatrist because hers quit. Thus, she was without any medications. The new psychiatrists started her from scratch with medications. Which in turn brought her ODD (oppositional defiance disorder), ADHD, and other mental issues to a new height. Mixed with new hormones, being a teenager and her monthly cycle was not mixing well. She had became abusive to me. If she didn't like what I had to say she would beat me up. She would scream for hours on end. I would lock myself in my bedroom afraid to come out when my boyfriend was at work out of fear of my daughter.

My boyfriend was there to save me many times. One day when she was out of control. She locked me in her bedroom and would not let me out. I had my arm in the door and she pushed it shut. I couldn't get out. She wasn't going to let me. My boyfriend ended up ripping her door off in order to help me out of the bedroom. My shoulder and arm was hurting.

The next morning. I could not lift either arm or move them. I have Rheumatoid arthritis which affects my joints. Trying to get out of my daughter's room cause both shoulders to pop out of joint. Recover from that was almost 6 months. This is one of the many injuries I received till the psychiatrist was able to get my daughter's meds under control. Which was 3 months ago. This last three months were peace compared to what I had been living through.

Back to what I was saying about my sister. I stopped talking to her over the Facebook group because she knew about the group and was allowing people to say things that were not true and she knew it. She knew my estranged husband was in the group and reading everything. As she added him. When it comes to my kids. I will become momma bear and delete people from my life. My estranged husband put the kids and I through the wringer. He is the one who permanently disabled me. I will not take any chances on losing my children because someone wants to harass and spread rumors about my boyfriend, daughter or me. I simply will not put up with it.

This was one of the many things that has happen with my sister. When it happened. I blocked anyone I was connect to in that group. My sister because of me blocking her started posting all kinds of nasty things on facebook about me. I didn't care at this point. I reported the group to facebook and had it shut down. I reported all offenders as well.

All because someone was jealous because my boyfriend started a mechanics shop with a friend. His name and reputation was put out to be ruined. Accused of abusing my daughter. Later, instead of apologizing they tried to be friends by saying it was all a joke. Sorry, I don't joke like that.

My boyfriend business has suffered because of this. He gets business. However, it is only enough to barely make the bills. Nothing extra to bring home and help out. He is really trying to promote his business and bring it to its full potential. It has been hard on family. In more ways than one.

Am I being paranoid for thinking my mother is saying this stuff and it is not coming from my sister? I don't trust either one right now. Would you, if this happened to your family? It seems since my daughter is doing well again. I am being made to be paranoid and the crazy one for not wanting to talk to my sister. Am I?

Photos from Pixabay. Unless otherwise noted. You can click to enlarge the photos to see if they are mine or where they are from.

An InLinkz Link-up

13 Sandwiches To Eat In The Summertime

1. Sandwiches are something my family eat more of in the summer time. As they can be a quick and easy meal to prepare. What I like about sandwiches, you can add everything into one. Not needing to add any sides unless would like. Such as this delicious turkey burger. Served with mushrooms, pickles, and a basil cheese.

2. Sandwiches come in all different shapes, sizes and ingredients. I love me a BLT. however when I am out of Turkey bacon and lettuce. I will still make myself a tomato, mayo and sea salt sandwich. 

3. A family favorite is shredded chicken with Italian dressing. Topped with pickles. Sometimes adding a thin slice of cheese. It also can be topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and sweet onions. I make two versions of this sandwich.

4. A delicious hamburger cooked on the grill. Top with dill pickles and mushrooms.

5. A double turkey patties served with cheese, mayo and topped with tomato on a bun. I will never make that mistake again. As it tasted great. I fail to remember a double turkey sandwich is too much for me. i can not eat a full one.

6. Pizza sauce, cheese, mushrooms, and onions served in a toasted bread. Cooked in the sandwich machine. Quick pizza sandwich. I will write more about the sandwich machine and different sandwiches made with it in another article.

7. Make your own stuffed burger. You can add anything you like inside a burger with this little device. I stuff mine with veggies and a small amount of cheese.

8. Tuna fish served on a bun.

9. Sloppy Joes served with mixed veggies and kale.

10. Toasted pizza sub from Subway with pepperonis, spinach, olives, and onions.

11. Original chicken sandwich from burger King. Served with lettuce and mayo. It used to be served with tomato a long time ago. You can currently get it as the 2 for $5.

12. I added tacos to the sandwich thread because you can pick them up and eat them with your hands like a sandwich. you can any kind of meat and veggies. It will be served in a corn or flour tortilla.

13. Another favorite sandwich of mine is cucumbers served with mayo and a little cheese on bread.

What sandwich is your favorite to eat in the summer time?

Buster Found A New Home

My heart is heavy even though it is in the right place. As Buster has a new home. I struggled with deciding if he should go or stay. After weighing all the options. I knew Buster needed another more permanent home. My family done all it could ofr Buster. it was time for him to move to his forever home.

Originally I took Buster home because he was skin and bones. The photos to the right were not as bad as he looked when I first brought him home. He has made a long recovery. From that little skinny pup of bones to a huge dog who still wants to sit on your lap.
Rescues are awesome when they can get to the point of going to a forever home.

When the house I wanted fell through because of errors of the bank. Not knowing when I can find a bigger place to move. I knew I had to make a hard decision. I love Buster. However living in a tiny home wasn't the ideal place for him anymore. he grew out of my home. I had a fenced in back yard. however almost half of it is concrete. not much running room for a big boy like him. he needed more. My teen son would give him a daily walk when he got home from school. However that wasn't enough. With my walking issues, I was out of the question to do so.  Buster was to big. if he decided to dart at a cat, I would be on the ground. I was not strong enough to hold him back anymore.

When it was decided Buster needed a forever home. I looked long and hard to find the right home for Buster. As he was starting to have issues with my Chug, Moose, who is smaller but older than him. I had to feed the dogs separate. That turned in to no treats unless I feed the treats in the cage. the fun of having multiple dogs was wearing out. Knowing he had an issue with Moose. I had to do what was best for both dogs. I tried doing many different things to prevent this. It all came down to, did I want to see Moose dead one day I could not intervene fast enough.

It wasn't fair for Moose to be in his cage to eat, to get treats, when we slept, when the family left. I couldn't play ball anymore without Buster being a bully and refusing to allow the others to play. Having no cage big enough for Buster, it wasn't fair to the other dogs in the house.

I posted Buster for re-home on several different websites. I told family and friends had them ask around. I did charge a re-homing fee for Buster. It wasn't about the money. it was about making sure someone really wanted him and had the means to get him. If they couldn't afford the $200. How would they be able to afford to feed him? Buster would go through a 50 lbs bag of dog food in less than two weeks.

I was able to find a family who lives on several acres of fenced in land. The couple has three smaller children. not babies or toddlers, non teen. The man is a truck driver who is on the road alot. Buster will be the only dog. Where he will receive tons of attention.

I made sure to send his bed, his big metal bowl I recently bought for him and a container to store his food in. Full of the kind of food he eats. I made sure to give his shot records. Buster had his current tags.

Farewell Buster, I know you are in a better home. That is the best I could ever hope for.

Will I ever open my home up again to rescue a dog in need? Probably, however I think it will be along while before I take on anymore rescues. This last one tugs at my heart to much.

How To Add A Blog To Your Reading List on Blogger.

Many of my friends and loyal readers have been asking me how to add a blog to their reading list on their Blogger.com account. I decided to write up this tutorial to help them and others along.

First thing you to do is login to your blogger account. Scroll down to where you see the button that says "Add".

Click to enlarge for a better view

A new will pop open.

Click to enlarge for  a better view

Add the url of the blog you want to follow. It does not have to be another blogger blog. Once you do click follow. The blog is added to your list.

Click to enlarge for  a better view

As you can see from the above picture. The blog has been added to my reading list. It is that easy.

Have you ever written a tutorial? If so, for what?

Challenge : Write a tutorial for something.

White-Marked Tussock Caterpillar

Early today I went to a local UAW Park where my niece was having her graduation party. While waiting for the party to be set up, as they were running behind. I sat at one of the many picnic tables. I noticed a "White-Marked Tussock caterpillar". My mom said to stay away from those kind, as they will sting you. Others were saying to kill it.

The caterpillar was as curious about me, as I was of it. I asked it if I could get a picture of it. It turned around and looked straight at me. Look at it pose. After I took the picture. My boyfriend picked the "White-Marked Tussock caterpillar" with a piece of paper. He placed the caterpillar away from the group of people. No harm will come to the caterpillar from people today.

After I got home. I quickly did a some research about the caterpillar. These caterpillars turn into the White-Marked Tussock Moth. It is in the same family as the gypsy moths. The hair on the back of the caterpillar is called urticating hairs. Also known as stinging hairs. It looks like a stinger but is not. The hair itself can cause a skin rash or irritation to those are highly sensitive to the hairs. I would not recommend picking one up and finding out.

The caterpillars feed on many different trees. Such as : walnut, elm, oak, maple, apple, pear, plum, basswood, sycamore, willow, rose, poplars, and redbuds.

#caterpillar  #whitemarked #tussockcaterpillar, 

Looking 2 The Clouds Quotography

For this weeks Quotography quote. I decided to look to the clouds. I often look to the clouds when feeling blue, or needing inspiration.

When I was a child I was lay back in the grass and look at the clouds. I would try and see what shapes or images i could see among the clouds. To this day, I still lay in the grass and look for inspiration in the clouds.

What do you see when you look in to the clouds?