Count Down

15 days to transplant

This Morning in the Garden

Just a few pic's before heading to work. :)

The New Driveway :)

Got a call today that they will be coming tomorrow to prep the driveway for blacktopping. YIKES! I can't believe we will finally . . . have blacktop. NO MORE EXCESSIVE DIRT, GRAVEL, STONES, ETC. tracked in the house. Can't Wait!!!!

Count Down

16 days to transplant

Today's Homily

Father Dollin gave the homily today. He closed with a prayer that I liked so I thought I'd post it.

Voice of Jesus, call us when we stray.

Eyes of Jesus, look upon us when we need encouragement.

Face of Jesus, smile upon us when we need assurance.

Hands of Jesus, anoint us when we grow weary.

Armes of Jesus, lift us up when we stumble.

Blood of Jesus, wash us clean when we grow soiled.

Body of Jesus, feed us when we grow hungry.

Heart of Jesus, help us love one another as you have loved us.

Count Down

19 days to transplant

Mary's message in Medjugorje for this month

Message of July 25, 2007 "Dear children! Today, on the day of the Patron of your Parish, I call you to imitate the lives of the Saints. May they be, for you, an example and encouragement to a life of holiness. May prayer for you be like the air you breathe in and not a burden. Little children, God will reveal His love to you and you will experience the joy that you are my beloved. God will bless you and give you an abundance of grace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

http://www.medjugorje.org/

Garden Pic's

Okay, here are the pictures I should have taken a few days ago. I have an angel where my Blessed Mother statue will be. This angel is only about 16 inches tall. I'm hoping to find a Blessed Mother that is at least 24 - 30 inches tall (I will also have a slightly higher platform for her), but I haven't had much luck. I did see one at the Gardenscape 2007 this year and I have the number and address of the place which is about 2 hours away. Not sure I'm prepared to travel that far since I don't feel I've searched enough locally. Guess I'd better get working on that huh? I love this Castor Bean Plant. Look at how much it has grown in just 10 days. How large will it be by the end of August? :) ? Next year I'm going to put it in the South Room...I mean, since the garden now seems to be divided into "rooms" the left side of the statue is the south side so that would make it the South Room. Or perhaps I'll put one on both sided. Whatever! I just like it.

Remember if you click on the pictures they will enlarge for a closer look.

Everyone have a wonderful night and sleep tight. God bless you...pleasant dreams...nighty night.

Count Down

21 days to transplant - Yikes, that means 3 weeks!

In the Garden

I worked on the garden a few days ago. Haven't gotten around to taking a picture yet and tonight it is raining so I guess I'll add the pic tomorrow. My, my, time comes and goes so quickly here. Does anyone else have that problem? I just can't keep up. I moved the two variegated hosta's I recently put in since I decided I liked these smaller ones better and they needed division. So I just did a flip-flop with them. I wanted to make this path to where my Blessed Mother statue will be. It looks so much different now. With these hosta's in place the garden is now divided into . . . well. . . rooms. I like it. I am still hunting for flat rocks and considering purchasing some at the Iroquois Sand and Gravel or whatever it is called on Sweden Walker Road. It would eliminate splitting rocks. Which I don't really mind but I am getting to old for all this hauling from the woods. I do however like when I find a rather large boulder that can be split and used for my . . . patio/sidewalk/whatever. But try to straighten up after lifting one of those babies into the cart. YIKES! I need to get some young blood here to lift some of those things. Like Yellie!!! That girl could use the work out :). Now don't get all worked up Yellie, just kiddin'. I have enough flat rock to cover about one third of the area so far (I think). Was hoping to get it done before 8/14 but I don't think that is going to happen.

Well, our neighbor brought over 7 large zucchini's. I used one to make some bread and am about to indulge. So it is time to sign off. And I just got through telling the girls at work that I was staying away from chocolate :). Well, I try! The bread in the center is plain. The other has only chips. Matt would turn his nose up at plain or anything with nuts in it. The small loaf I cut has pecans, wheat bran and flax seed added. I made that for me cuz I need healthy stuff in it to justify eating it :-)))) and the guys won't touch that. That's one way of being sure you'll have it for yourself :).

Yesterdays homily - Things are not as important as TIME. So be sure to spend some with those that you love.

Check in tomorrow for some updated garden pics. Until then, have a wonderful, peaceful evening.

Count Down

22 Days to transplant

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in "pints" and who was drinking in "quarts," hence the term minding your "P's and Q's."

Count Down

24 Days to transplant

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, "mind your own bee's wax." Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a smile." In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . therefore, the expression losing face."

Count Down

25 days to transplant

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man." Today in business, we use the expression or title Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board."

Count Down

26 days to transplant

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed>both>legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs," therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg."

Stay tuned for more trivia.

Kidney Transplant Update

Hey everyone!

We finally have a surgery date, Tuesday, August 14 at Noon. We have been made aware that if there are any emergencies we will be bumped. But right now that is the schedule.
I have been preparing for this for quite some time. So far I'm doing quite well with the idea of donating but wonder if I'll want to head for the hills in a state of panic as the day draws nearer :). Kind of like Matt's motorcycle accident in May. I remember running from my car to him lying in the road, panic rising but I think our neighbor knew my feelings because before I even got to Matt he kept shouting "he's okay, he's okay". This really helped me remain calm. I could see he was okay but still felt panic creeping in.
I'm trying to take care of things around the house that I might normally put off. But not really getting much done. We have had so many grad parties, weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, retirement parties, etc. There is just no time to do anything.
Matt is just now able to put 50% pressure on his leg, has a walking boot and is recovering quickly although probably not as quickly as HE would like. I'm sure he feels pressure due to the upcoming surgery and wants to be helpful. He will be getting around much better in another month so I really have no worries there. Elizabeth is local so will be here. Melissa and Andrew will be coming home to lend a hand for a few days. If all goes well that is probably all I'll need but while they are here I'm planning to take full advantage of turning this into a ME world :-))). Nothing is ever about ME. It's always about Dave, it has always been about Dave and it will probably always be about Dave. How about this one...he has now gotten channel 21 involved in following the transplant with his connections at the U of R. They will be doing a documentary: "Renal Failure in the Life of DAVID KLEEHAMMER". Of course that is not really what it will be called :). So now they will be filming it all...donor and recipient. Yup, we will be on the "LEARNING CHANNEL :)". Do I lie????? See how he has dragged me into his ME WORLD?!? Yeah, like my pale complexion and purple lips aren't bad enough with no make-up now I get to be filmed looking...sickly. At least I'll have an excuse. THEY BETTER HAVE A MAKE-UP CREW TAGGING ALONG or there's going to be trouble :-))) Yeah and he wants me to think of questions, or comments or WHATEVER!!! I don't know. Those of you who know me, know what I'm thinking... having to TALK. Oh Lordy! Plus, after the transplant he will have all this post-op stuff...for the rest of his life...again...it will be all about him. When the children come home I'll be milking it. I am going to get them to do my gardening. None of them have ever had an interest in it so I'm going to force them to take an interest :-))))))).

They will be my slaves for a week.

I warn you now. . .
Speak of this to no one! Especially not the children.
AND Whoa to the one who attempts to foil my evil scheme!

So listen up everyone! The day I come home from Strong it is going to be all about ME. That's right: ME, ME, ME!! "JO ANNE'S WORLD" for at least a week. AND if I start a little early or drag it on for more than a week please do your best to excuse and forgive my selfish behavior :). Cuz it will all go bust when Dave comes home.

Seriously, please keep us in your prayers.

Thank You

Plant with no name

I got four snips of this plant from Mary at work. It took months to root and I was about to give up on it. One of the four cuttings died but the other three finally took root and grew. It is looking so healthy. I love it! However I don't have a clue what it's name is. Anyone know? It has a long skinny redish flower. I'll take pictures of it in bloom. . . that is if I can get it to bloom. I'm sure it will be a while before that happens.

Garden Pictures

Since the weekend before the 4th we have been very busy. We had a wedding the weekend before (June 30) then our family picnic on July 1, then July 3rd a picnic at Pat and Owen's cottage on Conesus Lake then we had another picnic on the 4th at my cousin Laurie and Don's cottage but the kids were home that weekend and we had to take Andrew to the airport at 3:00 on the 4th. Since we didn't get home from the airport until about 4:00 it seemed a little to late to head off to the picnic so we ended up staying home. It seems like one thing after another. We have been to 2 weddings so far this summer, have one today and another in August. I don't know, I just can't keep up. I'd like to say I have been spending a lot of my time attending to Matt but that would be an untruth :). Guess I'm just getting slower...which is not good since I have always been a little on the slow side.
Here are some pic's of the new garden which I have named "Memories". My originally thought was a garden in memory of my mom and so Memories is dedicated to my mom but I have also incorporated many plants, garden art and ideas that came from trips I've taken, inspiration of others and ideas generated from observations. My sister Carol and I went to a Garden Tour where I was introduced to this perennial bulb, Lucifer. So added that to remind me of our tour. It is so bright and colorful, it really stands out in the garden. My mom loved calla lilies. Large white ones made up her bridal bouquet. These are a smaller flower than what she had however, I did purchase some bulbs that should produce larger blooms though I don't have any flowers on them right now.


Here is an update on the flat rock area I'm working on. I have decided to fill in with sand...I think. I keep changing my mind. I also need lot's more rocks and am not very successful at finding them thin enough. I have been splitting some with a masons chisel but it is difficult, tiring and time consuming work. My first pumpkin in years. I always have a problem with squash vine borers and this year is not different. I did notice signs of them in this vine but got it in early enough to produce at least one pumpkin. :). Don't know why I bother really, it takes up lot's of garden space where I could be planting something eatable. AND this year I have been faithful at dusting this pumpkin vine once a week and also after rain. I don't really like to do that but I have tried everything possible to get rid of these things. Nothing works! I thought...I haven't tried dusting faithfully so I thought I would try that. Guess next year I will use the space more efficiently.

Here are just a couple more pic's of the garden on the east side of the yard. Bee Balm with it's interesting flower head and the morning glories are taking their sweet time to fill in this trellis. That is it for now. Everyone have a wonderful day.

Fox Family

I went out this morning camera in hand planning to take a few shots to post my garden progress or at least the state of my garden. I came in and while I was downloading the pictures went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. As I passed the kitchen window I saw a fox out the window, stopped to get a better look and found there were a few. I alerted Dave and Matt so we could watch them and then ran for the camera.
Trying to get pictures from the window was difficult so we carefully opened the front door and snuck out onto the porch, where I sat to get these pics.

This one is a little blurry but had to post it since this one is admiring my day lilies. Could these be the culprits digging in my newest garden??? Difficult to get upset with them, they are just too cute. :) There were five of them but I couldn't get them all in one picture. This is the best I could do getting four. Then Dave went an coughed...DUH! There is no coughing when you are trying to spy. That's okay, we were out there for about 10 minutes watching them play. I believe this little guy saw us and trotted a little closer to the porch to take a look. He sat down and just watched us.

Strawberry Short Cake

I made this pound cake the other day and decided to try it out as short cake for strawberries, Wow! I thought it was great. Had seconds...shouldn't have but I did. Didn't think to get a picture but you all know what Strawberry Short Cake looks like. Try it out.

Yummy, yummy in my tummy!

Pound Cake

1 cup butter

1/2 cup crisco

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon each, vanilla and almond

Cream butter and shortening. Add sugar gradually, creaming all the time. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Mix flour and baking powder. Measure milk and add flavoring to milk. Add each alternating beginning with flour and ending with flour. Pour into greased and floured tube pan and bake at 325 for 90 minutes. Cool slightly. Remove from pan.

Glaze warm cake with 2 cups confectioners sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Glaze will harden as it cools, don't worry. It is excellent!!!

When cool, take a slice, top with a ton of sliced strawberries and your favorite whipped topping. I used fat free (you have to cut somewhere :)). Enjoy!

July 4th on the 1st

Some pic's from our annual family picnic. It is usually on the fourth but this year we changed it to accomodate out of towners. The kids spent time flying kites and had a chance to get a carriage ride. We played bocci...my team won! :) But it was a close game. We were ahead the first half of the game, then the other team took over the lead. We were tied at 18 to 18 and they made us work for every point. I thought we were going to have to get out a slide rule for a few close calls. We finally wrapped up the game at 21 to 18. We have the boys comparing noses; Chef Tim and his wife Brenda; Jan and Brenda forming an exclusive club :); Meghan wondering why they won't let her join. :)!!! Just kidding.

Matt making the best of his situation and having a conversation with his cousin Miles. When most people were gone a few of us cleaned up and then we decided to try to fly this awesome kite that Dolores brought. It had two strings for stunts needing ultimate control. We had no directions to put it together but we tried. Paul and I tried to get it to fly but it was difficult and you definitely get a work out. I got the kite in the air for....oh maybe 10 seconds. That was the best we could do. Very difficult to control. Good Luck to Dolores if she ever tries to fly it.

Happy 4th everyone.