Day 224 in a Year of my Life

A very successful garage sale today.

We sold lots of stuff that we didn't think we would ever sell .. some of which, we had in our last garage sale, and nobody even looked twice at, but just about everybody who walked up the driveway in the first hour, took something with them when they left.

We still have two lounge suites, the tv cabinet and the dining suite left .. so I'll phone Lifeline on Monday and they can have them.

My trike also didn't sell ... surprisingly.  I'll hold onto that til the right person comes along.

So today, I've taken some photos of the new lounge room and hallway, since the repairs and everything that was damaged has now been replaced.

In the middle of writing this, the sun set behind some interesting cloud, which produced a bit of colour, so I rushed across the road to the lagoon with about 3 minutes to spare before the colour disappeared ...

I didn't have time to grab my camera bag with the other lenses, or the tripod, so this is taken hand held.

Today, I am grateful to Adoring Husband for dealing with all the people today.  You know, there are some days when you just don't have the mental/emotional energy to deal with a bunch of strangers .. that was me today.  So thank you AH.  You done good :)

Nite all.

Day 223 in a Year of my Life.

It's not even 9.30pm and I am struggling to stay awake, so I'm afraid this is a short post again tonight.

Tonight, at the Club, I promised that I would share this very funny story, written by an ABC journalist from 'The Drum'.

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4736642.html

I laughed so hard, and could relate to his words.  I guess it's extra funny when you are a big 'State of Origin' fan.  Maybe not so funny if you don't care about football.

I don't have any photos to share tonight.

I DID take some photos because I pedalled to the lake this morning, which I haven't done for about a year.

I'm so glad that I did because I found Rainbow Bee Eaters, Fairy Wrens, Pardolotes, Honey Eaters and Finches.  I even found two nests of Finches, but they are up too high in the tree for me to get any good photos.

They are all birds (in case you are wondering).

A local was walking along the path that goes around the lake and she stopped to have a chat.  At that point, I had only seen a white egret on the edge of the lake.

While she was chatting, I spotted a Fairy Wren in the grasses behind her .. luckily I had my sunglasses on and she couldn't see that I was looking over her shoulder, instead of at her face!  I was so excited, I couldn't finish the conversation fast enough!

After she walked away, it was like she had opened a gate and suddenly all these birds appeared!

I got photos of all of them, but I haven't had a chance to look at them properly yet, so hopefully I can share them tomorrow.

Right now, I am off to bed.  I might even wake up early enough to try a sunrise tomorrow!

I just can't stay awake any longer.

Today, I am grateful to a local man, who told me that the lake behind my town had had some maintenance done to it and that the path was clear to ride on.  If he hadn't stopped to tell me that, I would never have found the birds.

So many of my favourite birds in one spot, just waiting for me to visit!

Nite all.

Day 222 in a Year of my Life

Home made chicken soup tonight for dinner ... and that is why you make a huge batch of it and freeze it ... for nights like this when you just couldn't be bothered about going to any effort.

For dessert, I have mixed some Gluten Free vanilla 'Home' Ice cream with a tablespoon of crushed hazelnuts and a tablespoon of peanut butter - talk about heaven!

I don't usually buy ice cream, but when I saw 'gluten free' on the box ... well you know?

Just one photo to share, from the baby shoot last month.

I might have to do the June 'photo a day' challenge, to force myself to use my camera for things other than pelicans and birds.

I'm feeling a bit lazy tonight, after doing quite a lot of housework during the day.  Vacuuming, mopping, three loads of washing, dusting and toilet cleaning .. that's a LOT for me and it's very unlike me .. all a bit much for one day.

I've decided that clean floors are virtually impossible when you have three dogs living inside.  Ugh!

So today, I am grateful for gluten free ice cream :) that is all.

Nite all.

Day 221 in a Year of my Life

This is a very short post because we have been out all night and have just returned home.  It's 11.20pm and I'm heading to bed.

Just wanted to say 'Congratulations' to all of the Blues supporters out there.  It was a good game and you won fair and square.  Be prepared for the next game of the series because I think it's going to be a corker!

In the meantime, I'm adding this link that I hope you will go to and read.  Vegan Chickie emailed it to me this evening and when I read it, it really hit home.  I think all of you will relate to it and I really hope that you take the time to read it and click on the bottom bar, to read the entire article.

http://m.dailylife.com.au/life-and-love/parenting-and-families/when-your-mother-says-shes-fat-20130604-2nnxq.html

Tonight I am grateful for an evening of football and no alcohol ... because if I'd had alcohol, I may have  said some bad things to some angry, negative males in my presence.  I'm grateful to have risen above it and found the happy place inside my head for most of the evening.

Nite all.

Day 220 in a Year of my Life

It's pelican time.

It's that time of year when not a lot is happening.  Nature has gone to sleep for Winter, so photographic opportunities are few and far between.

Basically, there are two options - Sunrises/Sunsets or Seabirds.

Just to mix it up - Pelicans AND Oyster Catchers!

Tonight, I made a layered veggie stack to have with our roast chicken (which I roasted myself, so that the meal would be 'gluten free')

I roasted thick slices of eggplant, red capsicum, zucchini, onion rings and sweet potato on a tray in the oven.

In a loaf tin, I put a layer of raw, shredded wombok cabbage with a thin layer of beetroot pesto on top (you could probably use that beetroot dip instead), then eggplant,  then thick slices of tomato, then roasted zucchini, spread with a thin layer of cream cheese, then a layer of red capsicum (skin removed after roasting) then a layer of rice noodles that I had soaked in hot water.

I also made a hot chilli tomato puree sauce, by blending 440g of tinned tomatoes, pouring it into a saucepan and adding a heaped teaspoon of chilli paste and half a small jar of tomato salsa (you know, the stuff you put on tacos?), a t-spoon of caster suger and about 1/4 of a cup of the chicken juices left on the bottom of the tray when I baked the chicken.  I brought that to the boil stirring occasionally.

I then put a few spoons of the tomato puree sauce over the layer of rice noodles, added the layer of roasted sweet potato and on top of that, I put a layer of stemless mushrooms and grated a small amount of tasty cheese over the top.

I pressed it down as hard as I could and then placed it in the oven at 200C for about 20mins, or until the cheese melted nicely and browned on top.

I served it up with the roast chicken and poured some of the hot chilli tomato puree sauce over the top.

It was delicious - especially because I made it up - and you know how hit and miss, made up meals can be!

I'm sorry that I didn't take photos as I made it, and then of the finished product as well - but I will next time!

Today, I am grateful for successful recipe ideas that turn out better than expected, especially with all of those vegetables, full of vitamins and minerals and healthful goodness!

Nite all.  

Day 219 in a Year of my Life

I missed last night's sunset, which was amazing.

I didn't miss tonight's sunset, which was less than amazing.

It was still quite pretty ... but not like yesterday.

A young child attempted to take my long lens from the back of my trike while I wasn't looking!  I spotted him in the nick of time and he snatched his hand away, made a face and ran off to his parents.

By crikey there'll be trouble!

So I hope that all of you 'Blues' supporters out there are ready for another beating?  Two more sleeps til State of Origin time!

Got myself a new cap and a jacket today, which proudly displays my maroon loyalties!

Today, I am grateful for gluten free lollies ... a whole container full of them from 'Nana's Pantry'.  I must make them last :)

Nite all.

Day 218 in a Year of my Life

I began writing this blog while awaiting the birth of my first grandchild just over two years ago.

In that first post, I mentioned my mother, and how, if she had lived, she would have been there with me and feeling excited about our newest member of the family ...

http://agechallengedrqqzy.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/i-think-im-now-blogger.html

The anniversary of her death has just passed (25th May) and today, in facebook, somebody shared this ...

**********

I have been working on a special project for a while now and I was so lucky that Sarah Overholt Stinnett was willing to help me and let me tell her story! Meet Sarah, her two beautiful girls, Harper and Reagan and her Mama, Connie. Sarah and her sister, Laura, lost their sweet Mama, Connie, a little over 4 years ago at a very young age. Since then, Sarah has gotten married and had two very beautiful little girls of her own. Sarah strives everyday and all with her mama by her side in spirit! When I asked Sarah to do this, I asked her if there was anything special that had to do with her Mom and her little girls. I cried when Sarah told me that her Mom used to buy her baby books for her future grandchildren (long before Sarah had little ones). This image features such a special book to Sarah and her girls that is called "I Loved You Before You Were Born". I truly believe that Connie has a special bond with these girls even though she is not present on Earth. I know she loved these babies before they born and I am so lucky and honored to be able to showcase this picture! Sarah, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

**********

I can see that there are many reasons why some people might not like this, but it reminded me of my mother, and I know how proud  she would have been of our little Chicklet.

This year, for the first time, I was NOT feeling melancholy about the anniversary of my mother's death.

I think she may have been offended and made sure that this photo found it's way to me on facebook!

It actually came to me on my 104 photography group page, where one of the ladies shared it with the group.

I was sitting down by the beach this morning and checking my ipad, when I found it.  I became quite emotional, because often when I'm with Vegan Chickie and Chicklet, I imagine my mother close by, in spirit.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this.  I know that this photographer comes from a small town, but the response to this photo has been huge, so her business may become quite busy in the near future!

I've been working on some photos today too ...

So today, I am grateful to my mother, for visiting me from beyond the grave ... to remind me that it's State of Origin time and she will, once again, help Queensland to win the series, to make it 8 years in a row.

(My mother was fanatical about State of Origin and her team hasn't lost since she died in 2005)

Nite all.

Day 217 in a Year of my Life

What a dull day.

Overcast with few patches of sunshine.  A few showers.

The tide was out, so it was vast patches of grey wet sand, grey water, grey sky and not even the birds came out to play.

I took a couple of photos in my front garden, before the bird in the photo gave me my marching orders ... he flapped angrily at me and even swooped!  Not too close, but enough to warn me off!

A couple of photos from the Sunny Coast last week...

Yesterday, after Adoring Husband and I went to the movies, we went to JB Hifi where they had a lot of dvds on sale.

Among others, we bought 'Magic Mike', a movie about male strippers.  Big mistake.  Terrible movie ... unless you like to look at nice, young, taut, muscle-bound, male bodies.  That's about all it had going for it.

Bad storyline, bad acting, bad cinematography, just bad all round really.

Tonight was Super Saturday ... which means football on Fox Sports TV and home made pizza!  Pizza was great, but only one game of footy tonight because State of Origin is next week on Wednesday night.

We have our opposing flags mounted at the front of the house.

Adoring Husband supports NSW (the blue team) and I support QLD (the maroon team).  QLD have won seven years in a row.  How many???  Yes, that's correct, SEVEN years in a row.

We are hoping to make it eight years in a row this year.  We have a great team.  Time will tell.

Today, I am grateful for dull days ... they help us appreciate the beautiful days!

Nite all.

Day 216 in a Year of my Life

It's Friday night.

I'm tired.

Some quotes to share...

All just a bit of fun.

I'm grateful for today.  Date day.  A movie and lunch with Adoring Husband.  Most enjoyable and and very relaxing.

Nite all.

Day 215 in a Year of my Life

Another photo from the baby shoot with The Nikonian last week ...

I really love this photo.  It shows exactly how this Mum was, with her new daughter.  So gentle and loving and protective.

There is so much to learn about photography and about photoshop and editing photos.  I wonder if there is anybody out there who knows everything there is to know?  I can't even imagine that it's possible.

I attempted to watch a 2 hour tutorial on basic photoshop today.

I was practising on one of my photos, what they were teaching in the tutorial, so I was pausing the recording often, to put each step into practise.

I expected this process would take a while longer than the two hours.

Three phone calls, three annoying dogs and an oblivious Adoring Husband stretched the first 38 minutes of the tutorial to approximately 4 hours.  That's where it stopped.

So I've bookmarked it to go back another time and continue the lesson.

I am questioning whether having my work area in the middle of the house was such a good idea!

As annoying as it was today, I still like being in the middle of the house and part of the action.  Generally, so far, the energy has been good.  I just have to train the creatures that live in my space, to respect my 'education time'.

It's good to be home.  I love my 'space',  I missed my bed and I feel so much more comfortable in my quiet little town beside the lazy river.  It was nice to see the boys this morning too.

Today, I'm grateful that my lifestyle allows me the luxury of learning more about, and improving my photography, at a pace that is comfortable for me.  I'm grateful to have like-minded friends who are so willing to share their knowledge and their experiences with me ... in particular, the very generous Nikonian.

Now I'm off to watch the best part of 'Dirty Dancing' ... the final ten minutes :)

Nite all.

Day 214 in a Year of my Life

Today, sadly, I said goodbye to my family for another month or so.

It was a full and wonderful three days of quality time with my little Chicklet, and I hope enough of a break for Mama and Dadoo to regenerate a little, after the last difficult few weeks.

I got to the train station very early this morning, as the Bare-chested Chef dropped me off on his way to work.

After we hugged goodbye, I got myself a take-away coffee, and headed over to the train station.

Not long after I got there, a self confessed 'homeless and harmless' man walked through the door, armed with a giant bucket of single pink roses that he was selling for $10 each.  He announced that the money went towards shelter and food for the homeless in the area.

As I was counting my change to buy a rose from him, he pointed to the ground under my seat and said "You are sitting over my bed.  That's where I sleep most nights."

Not long after that, a young man came through the door and needed to know where and when to catch the bus to Nambour that evening.

The homeless and harmless man gave him directions and information and asked if he would buy a rose.  The young man only had $2.65 in his pocket, and he apologised and gave it to the man as a donation.

In another little while, an 84 yr old lady arrived with her luggage.  She had been house and cat sitting for a friend for two weeks and was on her way home to Gladstone.

In the course of the conversation with the homeless and harmless man, he mentioned that today was his 56th birthday.  The elderly lady opened her purse and pulled out $20.  She said "I don't want a rose, because I have too far to travel.  This $20 is for you.  Happy birthday."

We chatted with the man for the next 90 minutes as we waited for the train and in that time, he helped a lot of people with directions and information and times for the trains and buses.

As the time approached for our train to arrive, he showed the elderly lady and myself where to stand for our carriage number.

It's cold and wet in the Sunny Coast tonight and I know that Cooroy has a shelter, so I hope that tonight, for his birthday, he is sheltered and warm.

A couple of photos from my time on the Sunny Coast ...

Today, I am grateful for a lucky life, in which I am warm and well fed and clothed and I know that I am loved by my Adoring Husband, my children, my family and my friends.  Others are not so lucky.

Nite all.

Day 213 in a Year of my Life

Life is all about negotiation ... especially with a two year old in the house!  And also out of the house!

When Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef took the afternoon off from hands-on parenting, I took Chicklet to the park.

After 3pm is a bad time of day at the park because it's full of hyperactive school kids trying to release pent up energy after the last couple of hours in a classroom.

The park is also surrounded by parents of said hyperactive children, creating discussion circles, and not paying one iota of attention to what their terrors are up to.

Dangerous territory for a two year old.

A couple of loud "You're NOT my friends!!" got it all sorted.

Chicklet attempted to befriend a pelican, which was a good foot taller than her.  Luckily the pelican was friendly, because Chicklet was quite put out when I attempted to lure her to safety.  She was almost touching the bird and repeating "Hello" over and over again, like she was expecting the bird to reply ...

... understandable really, because all of her animal toys at home say "Hello" back when she talks to them!  Let's hope she doesn't get that close to the lion or the alligator when she wants to say hello!

Anyway, we had lots of cuddles and playtime again today.  More treasured memories... even though my camera battery decided to go flat on the way to the park this afternoon!  How VERY inconvenient!

So I have no photos from our day together or the park, but I do have this photo from bath time tonight.  After rolling in, and eating much sand at the park, she was in desperate need of a shower - but she wasn't keen, so once again after some negotiating ...

Eventually, we had a favourable result!

What a great day!

Now, it is absolutely pouring with rain and has been for a good couple of hours.  It should be nice to fall asleep to the sound of rain on the roof.

Today, I am grateful that I was able to get Chicklet home from the park after many failed negotiation attempts.  I love her sooooo much.

Nite all.

Day 212 in a Year of my Life

My day was filled with Chicklet fun today.

Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef look like a pair of zombies as they recover from various illnesses and overwork, while Chicklet has become a little Tassie Devil in the unit.

Today, between about 6 repeats of Playschool's Dinosaur dvd (that may be a small exaggeration), I ran about 1,842 laps of the couch (that is NO exaggeration) while wearing an elephant mask, all the while chasing Chicklet, who was wearing a pig mask.

We also spent a good portion of the day, creating a friendship group on the couch for all of her animal toys.

Chicklet emerging from the toy area and holding a pig in outstretched arms "Hello! I'm a pig" (in a very deep pig-like voice)

Me "Hello pig.  Would you like join us on the couch?"

Chicklet  "I would LOVE to"

Me "Would you like to sit beside the duck?"

Chicklet  "No.  I want to sit on top of the dinosaur"

Me  "Ok" placing the stuffed pig on top of the stuffed dinosaur.

Chicklet (emerging again from the toy box) "Hello!  I'm a chicken!" (in a very high pitched chicken-like voice)

Me  "Hello chicken.  Would you like to join us on the couch?"

Chicklet  "I would LOVE to"

Me  "Would you like to sit in front of the pig?"

Chicklet  "No.  I would like to sit behind the duck!"

... and so this went on for every animal toy that she possesses.  I didn't count them but it would have to come close to 50!

We read a dozen books ... well, actually, we read the first 3 pages of 12 books.

We played many many games of 'this little piggy' as she squealed with delight.

We drew lots of pictures on the ipad mini with a colourful children's app.

Tomorrow we have another big day planned, while Mama and Dadoo spend some time together and have a nice day out.

Which means, I must get some sleep so that I have plenty of energy to keep up with her!

I'm seriously considering joining a gym, and going on a special energy lifting diet, just to get fit and strong enough to keep up with her!

Here are some more photos from the Children's Festival yesterday.

Hunting for gems with Dadoo

Making a clay rabbit

Playing the giant xylophone

Today I am grateful for every moment, even the energy draining moments with my little Chicklet.  I don't get to see her often enough, so I love every second ... even when it gets to the exhausting ones ... and I wish my head was able to absorb every single bit of it, so that I could replay it like a movie when I get back home.

Nite all.

Day 211 in a Year of my Life

Started the day at stupid o'clock to catch a sunrise with the girls .. but yet another fizzer spoiled our photography morning!

We had a lovely breakfast at the coffee club before I was dropped off at Chicklet's place.

What a beautiful smile and much excitement when she saw me at her front door!  Talk about bringing joy to my heart!

We all then spent 3 hours at the Children's Festival ...

http://www.noosasteiner.qld.edu.au/announcements/childrens-festival

... and what a great day it was.

The weather was perfect.  The atmosphere was happy.  Live music.  Activities everywhere for the children.  Delicious, healthful food available.

Chicklet had a lovely time and here is the first photo to show it ...

I have lots of others to share, but the day has taken it's toll on this poor old body and I need to get some much needed sleep so that I have energy to keep up with Chicklet tomorrow!

I don't know what our plan will be tomorrow, but whatever happens, it will be fun, and you will hear about it.

Today I am grateful for the fun of being a grandparent and seeing that beautiful smile on her face when she sees me for the first time, and the quiet time on the couch when she rests her head on my arm for a moment, or touches my hand to make sure I'm still there or when she looks up at me and smiles and says "Hullo Bozzy Wozzy" with all the love in her voice.

*sigh*

Life is good ... tiring ... but oh so good :)

Nite all.

Day 210 in a Year of my Life

The Nikonian was generous enough to allow 'Boot Scoot' and I to share a newborn baby photo shoot with her this morning.

The young couple were family and they brought 14 day old Ayla to the house.  She was a little slice of heaven and it was so much fun taking the photos.

The Nikonian had all the props - blankets, shawls, backdrops, head bands, baskets and bowls.

I enjoyed the shoot so much more than I expected.  They were a beautiful loving family and little Ayla was a perfect subject who did just about everything we asked of her - and added a bit of extra dampness here and there just to challenge us!

A great experience!

Tonight, about 14 of us from the JPEG flickr group met at Lake Baroon to try some 'star trail' photography.  Alas the cloud cover kind of spoiled that idea, so we opted to do some other fun stuff with light ...

After all that silliness in the cold night air, we met at Montville for pizza, where I had the most delicious gluten free garlic pesto bread and a nice garden salad ... mustn't forget the wine too!

So it's been a long eventful day ... most satisfying on the photography front.

Today I am grateful for a great group of photography friends to share our love of cameras and all things photography related.

A good time was had by all.

Nite all.

Day 209 in a Year of my Life

Soooooo tired.

I didn't get to bed til midnight and the alarm woke me at 4.10am.

At least this time, the train arrived on time and there was hardly anybody on it, so I had two seats to myself.

I kicked back and relaxed, dozing on and off between announcements.

The Nikonian was there at the station to pick me up, but first we headed to McCafe for a good hot coffee.

She took me to the most AMAZING organic market place and I've already advised Adoring Husband that we have to move down here and build a house right next door to the market place!

Full of healthy deliciousness and I had a lovely time buying some organic, gluten free products to enjoy while I'm here.

We came back to The Nikonian's place while she prepared dinner in the slow cooker - Osso Buco - more heavenly deliciousness!

I'm sorry to continue in the food vein, but then we drove to Maloolaba for lunch and shared two healthy tasty salads.

It was a beautiful day, and we ate overlooking the water, which was bluer than blue and glistening in the sunlight.

Of course, some shopping was to be had and I bought three lovely tops.

The Nikonian's daughter joined us for dinner tonight.  I haven't decided on a name for her yet.  It has to be the perfect name ... so for now she will be known as TN's daughter.

She was delightful, just like her Mum and we had a lot of fun over dinner and wine.

Now, I am utterly exhausted and ready for a good solid sleep.

So that was my day in a nutshell.

Having a wonderful time!  Wish you were here!  Please send money!  :D

Today I am grateful for my lovely friend who always makes me feel so welcome.  I am so looking forward to watching her do a newborn baby shoot tomorrow and then our night shoot tomorrow night with the flickr group.

Photos to share tomorrow, hopefully!

Nite all.  

Day 208 in a Year of my Life

That is tonight's sunset.

Had a lovely lunch for 'Woman of many talents' birthday today.  Good food, good wine, good friends.

A short post tonight because I am packing.

Today, I am grateful for fluffy winter dressing gowns and fluffy slippers to take the chill out of the Autumn air ... yes even 'I' am feeling the cold!

Nite all.

Day 207 in a Year of my Life

How's this for a sunrise?????

All in the space of 45 minutes.

So, I've had two hours less sleep than normal and I'm feeling it!

Today, I am grateful to Mother Nature for showing me her beautiful side.

That is all.

Nite all.

Day 206 in a Year of my Life

Terrible, terrible tornados in Oklahoma, USA in the past couple of days.

Last I heard, 91 people were confirmed dead and the devastation is just heart breaking to see.

Even though, for me, it was difficult to watch, I was doing ok.  Vegan Chickie called me to see if I was ok, which I was.

Then I watched the news tonight.  I struggled.

Re-living the fear was difficult, but what felt like a war zone to us, and a disaster beyond compare ... now seems so minimal, and trivial, compared to what they have endured in Oklahoma.

Worst of all, for these poor people, is that there are still storms in the area and the strong and real possibility of any number of tornados touching down on their already decimated town.

The fear they must be feeling is palpable.

In January, the morning after the tornado hit our town, the police were walking our streets and  warning us that there was a danger we could be hit by more tornados in the next few hours.

I can't describe to you, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, and how, with every sound, my eyes darted in all directions expecting to see something forming and heading in our direction.

I feel so helpless for those people.  I feel my throat getting tight whenever I try to put myself in their shoes.

My sister, Squirt, phoned me tonight as well, to make sure I was ok.

I'm ok.  I'm scared for the people of Oklahoma.

Isn't it funny, how after we've experienced a disaster ourselves, other people's disasters touch us so much more deeply?

Today, I'm grateful for family who love me.

A sunset photo to bring an air of peace.

Nite all.
 

Day 205 in a Year of my Life

Adoring Husband and I pushed our marriage to it's limits today.

We put a decal on our bedroom wall.

Has anybody out there in my blog world EVER attempted to put a decal on a wall?

Who invented decals?

I certainly hope that they were punished severely.

The only thing that I can compare it to, is hanging wallpaper ... and I haven't done that for almost 40 years, so I imagine they've made great improvements in that time!

The other question I would like to ask, is why 'I' decided to buy a decal to put on 'our' wall!

Generally speaking, I think long and hard about these things before I make a decision .. in this case I made an impulse buy, and half way through the process of attaching it to the wall, I regretted that impulse buy, more than you can know.

It's taken a year for us to find the courage to take on the challenge!

I think I need a little red robin to perch on one of the branches and a bright yellow sun to put up in one corner.

What am I saying????  Somebody slap me!!

So now, with the new doona cover, pillow cases and the wall, our bedroom has become a forest!

When Adoring Husband went to bed tonight, I told him to check to see if bears really do &%$# in the woods.

Shame on me.

Today, I am grateful that the decal job is over and that another life lesson has been learned.  No more decals are allowed in this house. (I still have another one to put up yet - photos will come later)

Nite all.