Books, books everywhere

So, I have sooo many boxes of books it is not even funny. Sunday I decided to start going through the boxes and figure out what books I could bear to part with and what books I could figured could sit out and about. First, arrow A points to Buddy's butt. Lovely sight, I know. B. empty boxes. I managed to find four or five. C. The high stack of boxes that remains because I have a whole lot of books any way I look at it. D. The many colors I have contemplated but not chosen for the dining room. Although the whole reason I took the stupid picture was to show the books on the stool and may I add under the stool. On grandmama's dresser several books . . . underneath the nightstand a stack of books with the flower Aunt Wendy painted, oh, and the stupid clock that I love but can't get the back open to change the time . . . The many Biblical books and some feng shui (they don't exactly go together) . . . a little Byron for light reading . . . Some books under the lamp and, if you look closer, then you can see even more on the corner cabinet. . . a whole set of books by what is now the guest bed . . . a few books the book club will be reading this year. . . close to the TV in an effort to get myself to read instead of watch TV. . . Books on either side of the mantle place mirror . . . and a few by the front door. And do you know what? THERE ARE STILL 14 BOXES OF BOOKS LEFT . . . Grrrr.

More Balloon Pictures

The wife of a passenger took some pictures during the balloon festival. She showed me this photo afterward, and I begged her to send the picture to me. Certainly, it shows how the average photographer can shoot amazing photos. I'd love to enlarge it and hang it on the wall. I love how close the burners look to me, and that I could be any person. Oh, and my arm fat isn't too noticeable. She also sent a distant photo so that you can see me and the balloon and then one as we took off - if you look carefully you can see that I'm actually in the balloon at this point.

Life after gall bladder surgery

I started cruising the internet looking for info on what others have gone through. I found this crazy web site that says your diet doesn't have to change and that there is no after effect. HA. HA HA I say.

I'm stiiillll having to be very careful about what I eat. Every once in a while I won't take the medicine that keeps the food from flowing through me and, boy, do I regret that.

Ok, that is my gall bladder update.

The book from Hell

So, my friend Vickie at the Jostens Plant in Topeka, Kansas lovingly wrapped up the first book off the press to send to me. Isn't it beautiful? Doesn't the coffee table book look amazing on the coffee table? I thought you might enjoy seeing it opened to one of the spreads. Isn't it pretty? oooohhhhhhh I say pppprrreeeettttttyyyyy. Little did I know that part of her excitement was because she had a special note for me to read. Not a note, so much as a poem. How is that? How many people get books delivered with poems? I told Tread I'm expecting a poem from him when this year's book arrives. He told me fat chance. Actually, I have a better chance getting a poem from John (He worked with the girls this summer and fall coming up with ideas and such for designing). He's artsy, but could it equal this poem ? I say no.

So, without further ado the poem from Vickie:


Here it is the book from hell.
But of course you know it all too well,
We have printed it, reprinted it, and printed it again.
It was so much fun, but certainly not part of the plan.

It has 21 tip-ins all inserted with love
And trimmed to perfection and watched from above.
While it is nearing the end, it is not quite done.
I just wanted you to be first since from you it has come.

All your blood, sweart and tears all rolled up into one
The most fabulous book under the sun.
Here's a hint for the very next time
You even consider doing this or taking one single dime.

Don't go there my friend,t he cost is too heavy
It would have probably been easier to make a Chevy.
Write a novel, a kids book or just take notes
Or better yet, go on vacation and take a boat.

But whatever you do don't call me.
I will be in Hawaii or just having tea.
Either way it goes, this book on the table,
Will be a constant reminder of how we were able

To risk it all and still keep our cool
An ending up with a book that is beautiful.

The Friendship Garden

Well, I can't begin to describe how much fun it is to see my front yard now. I wish you, the reader, could appreciate just how unbelievable crappy the front of my house looked before the make over!! Now, voila, it is a work of beauty. The reason it is called the friendship garden is more than the fact my dear friend, Helen and then her husband, helped me to create the flower bed. First, I happened to have a gift card that enabled me to purchase the pansies and roses. Helen brought lots of plant stuff, Mexican something or another, Black-eyed Susans and stuff. Jackie, who works at the district, gave me bulbs that I planted. I can't wait for them to come up in the spring. The varigated stuff I got from my backyard and such. It's exciting. My big sister is going to give me more in the spring, some of which I hope to be able to put in the back yard. . . again a disaster area. I'll always be able to think of the people that helpd to create my garden.

I totally love it. I got up at the crack of dawn this morning, watered my plants first thing and then proceeded with my day.

Driving to school, I had to stop and pause to look at how lovely my front looks (minus the grass which is half dead and looks like crap. I'm totally ignoring the grass which will all be dead once I kill the weeds because that is basically all that survives when you stop watering the lawn for an extended length of time. On the up side, my water bill was pretty good all summer.)

The Palette

The air is filled with anticipation as Monday comes closer. Monday, is the day that my dear friend Helen comes over to help me with what she now refers to as the "friendship garden." Similarly to how it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a buttload lot of people to fill a freaking big flowerbed since I have no money to buy flowers etc. My parents are contributing, my sister, Helen, and perhaps several others (some who may not even know they are contributing ; )

So, the palette is prepared. Actually I have a little bit of tilling the Earth left to do, but at least the weeds, annoying holly bushes and grass are all gone.

If you find blank spots in your garden suddenly, "I'm innocent I say, I'm innocent." I was recently going through my old blogs and saw a picture of my backyard. I used to have grass. Everywhere. Of course the grass in front isn't that great either. It seems to be because of the lack of watering. I'm gonna have to work on that.

Oh crap

I think I just gave myself a brain aneurysm using the netti pot.