Happy Birthday Randal!!!  I love ya.  I miss ya!!!

I miss my Dad today…and every day.  I planted my peace lily in the ground in my bird haven and it has taken off.  I know he is in a better place.  If he were here today, he would be singing in the choir with his incredibly beautiful voice.  I know we all miss him.  Happy Father’s Day to all who have a father….hug them hard.

If you look real close you can see the green lemon near the top of my lemon tree. 

To the left of the Lantana is a shrimp tree…supposed to attract humming birds.

It is coming along.  Wish I had some grass!!

A blue bird feeding.

Dallas and I had such a good time today that when his dad came to pick him up, he said “Oh man, my dad is here.  I’m not ready to leave.

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He helped me feed the squirrels the corn.  I was careful.  I was holding on the whole time!

Always exploring…always expressive….

I am finally home from a ten day house sitting gig.  They got home at 2:00 a.m.  It felt good to sleep in my bed again.  I also got my camera back from Jacksonville where I left it Mother’s Day.

Angela had us up for burgers and Wii Bowling.  Dallas caught on fast!

Candace had to work a double and couldn’t be with us.  She bought me some beautiful roses and card.

Dallas is holding my surprise present from  Angela.  Yes I am going to be a Nana again!!!!  Yes, I cried, tears of joy.  She also gave me a manicure, pedicure and facial.  But Dallas is holding my favorite present!!!  Neat way to find out!

Just a few pics from my cruise.  This is my friend and co-worker Cheryl who accompanied me.

A shot taken in the piano lounge.  It was a neat place.  We entered the contest…name that tune.  I didn’t do so good.

Captain’s night.  It was a nice break.  I will try to be better about posting.  Although I have another gig coming up in June.  A retired lady with 5 dogs, two cats and a talking bird.  That should be interesting.  She has a completely fenced in yard, fron and back, so no dog walking…thank goodness.  Her daughter in Houston had a double masectomy and is going to undergo reconstuctive surgery.  I couldn’t tell her no.  She doesn’t need an alarm system.  If someone comes in the gate, the bird squawks, and when the bird squawks, the dogs bark!  She has a clean little house full of neat antiques.  Each animal has its own bed and own routine.  I am sure I will have a story or two!  The bird tells her she is beautiful every morning.  What a way to wake up!!!

My squirrels are happy now and leave the feeders for the birds alone.

The traditional “foot picture”. 

On deck waiting for our luggage.

Yes, the calm blue waters were nice.

The sad part.  On the way home Saturday our ship, along with two other returning from the Bahamas had to circle this ship and wait until the coast guard arrived.  They had a 39 year old man fall overboard that morning on the way to the Bahamas.  Some people saw him fall off, according to the news.  They called off the search last night, he had not been found.

The coast guard helicopter searching.

I am now feeding my squirrels where the bird feeder used to be.

So far we are both happy.

My main feeding place for the humming birds….haven’t seen any yet!

Does anyone know what this purple bush is?  The hispanic at the nursery told me it has a sweet aroma that attracts the birds.  I had a hard time understanding that!

The hammock is my haven for quiet time.

Alittle coral honeysuckle.

Coral honeysuckle, yellow butterfly plant and two bouganvillas.  Did I spell that right L.J.  Oh well, I don’t care, they are pretty.

My bird bath has attracted many beautiful birds to play in, cardinals, blue birds and some I don’t know!

Lantana….with a mini-feeder.

It is not a lot, but for me it is a start.

I guess I am related to Vic…and my Nebraska cousin.  Sumthin is always happpening.  I am dog sitting….just setting the scene, that is usually a clue for the crescendo.  I took the dogs to my house early yesterday morning so I could work in my yard.  I was landscaping in my backyard planting coral honeysuckle, lantana, butterfly plants, etc.  I needed to run to the post office and then to Lowe’s to pick up my birdbath and some lattices.  I was dirty, no makeup and hoping to not see anyone I knew.  Right.  A block from the post office, I was waiting at the stop sign, running my list through my mind when I was jolted from behind.  A purple SUV with gold rims plowed into the back of me.  He jumped out to see if I was ok.  The front end of his ride was a crumpled mess.  At least 4,000 damage.  You could barely tell I had been hit.  The Altima has a spring bumper and it works! A dent on the trunk, a few scratches in the paint on the bumper and a scratch or two.  I had to calm him down and assure him I was ok and I wasn’t going to sue him.  It wasn’t even his car he was driving.  My little damages amounted to 1500.00.  The ex-girlfriend whose car he was driving showed up and they were in a scream fest.  He walked off to keep regain control and I had to comfort her.  I am just glad I did not have the dogs with me…..they love to ride.  I have pictures to post from my landscaping…but I am not at home.  I watched four or five birds frolick in my bird bath.  I am going to have to get a book.  My plants and feeders drew the birds.  There were cardinals and bluebirds, but one was parrot green with a bright orange beak.  No clue what it was.  The semester is drawing to a close and I have a ton of papers to grade.  I wish everyone a blessed Easter. 

This is from two Wednesdays….I know I have been pretty sorry about posting.  I’ll try to do better.  Two weeks left in this semester and the papers are piling in!