Just a start.

I mentioned that this little change would prompt more changes as we get ready for the next step. Many of you have written, asking about more flowers and a garden that would really make the house beautiful. We plan a fence with flowers, and an arbor. This will probably have to wait for next year. I wanted to show you what the final... first step looked like. Hope you enjoy the change, we sure do.

Carol

My First Day at Doggie Day Care

My people are full of surprises. We dropped Carol off at work, and off we went, guys on a mission. We didn't get far and the car stopped. I have to say I like adventures but always being brave is hard. We left the car, me in my leash and John on his own mission. Veterinarian, no? The door opened and two dogs ran out. Ok, this must be dangerous. So, I backed up and slipped through my collar and went back to the car.

John called and I have learned to stop. Back in we went. I was wrong, they were nice. And so, if a picture is worth a thousand words, I posed for the camera. It follows me everywhere. A group picture was requested with my new friends. I have to say, this was really fun.

But with every outing, I am really tired. Looking for a nap. So I must sign off.

Once again, I hope for all my followers, big bones to chew, loving people to hold you.

Austin, of Austin Woods Court.

Go John, Go.....

Day two and look what's happened. Two chase lounges, a table for a cool drink, and the sun. Can't wait to use it.

As always love to those who love me so much.
Carol

Therapy or Correctness?

I think it's time to get over my hissy fit and stop torturing myself. Writing is great therapy and I love it.

So let's get back to it. The back yard. I know it's been a long time since I said anything about the back yard. The truth is with John's health being a large part of last summer, work on the back yard slowed down. We knew what we were going to do, but left it at the planning stage.

This week he started our sunning platform. This is a flat area dug out of the hill and tile was placed on the base to support two chase lawn chairs. It measures 12 ft. by 12 ft. Now this picture only shows the first step. We have to put a retaining wall running the back part before we are done.

God Bless those who follow my little blog.
Carol

I lost the wind under my wings.

It seems that when things go down hill they won't stop. I told you that I was fighting some issues. The biggest one is that I am an artist with a good heart. I love to contribute but always say that I am an artist and so my writing skills are colorful, not perfection.

In the last two week three people decided to rewrite my posts on the association blog. Without me, there would be no blog. I felt communication was important, and that people would honor my artistic mind. People who know it all are often not thoughtful people. I would rather be me than them.

The president and vice president have been ask to write posts for the blog. But in stead took time to rewrite one of mine. Even thought I stated that I was an artist and not a writer, I would give them a break. This week I ask my husband to just proof read my article. His response was that he had reworked three paragraphs and have a question on the other two. Oh my, my heart sunk and I felt myself fall to the ground. I tell you this because, it always helps when I write things. Something is wrong with this statement, the thing that makes me feel good is now something I shouldn't do.

When I lost the air under my wings I also lost my creativity and for that reason, I must take a break from writing. I will come back but not till the hurt has subsided.

I will be reading your blogs, as I have always done. I read to laugh, cry, pray and rejoice. I don't read to pick out the comma, or the structure of a sentence. I want to hear it in your words and adds color to my world. Once again I want to thank you letting me write and letting me be me.

God Bless all of you.

Carol

Had to rethink my thoughts.

If that sounds confusing to you, you can imagine my creative mind dealing with it. In both my job and in the job of secretary of the association in which I live, I had to look at this from all sides and see where I stand.

Both my job and my position as secretary were getting complicated. I began to see things in a negative light. It seems to me I have been here before. In my young age I would either fight, if it was necessary or quit. Could this be a life lesson that I had missed before. Maybe it's not the world, maybe it's me.

I do know one thing, the more I focused on it, the more it was getting me down. The truth is that when I get involved I really get involved. I am common sense overloaded. I'm not a scholar, I am an artist and I have to say it comes with sensitivity. I see things from all sides and realize I need to approach it from every direction. This truly is hard when my feeling have been hurt. However, when I have stood up and stood my ground, I often felt stronger.

So, you ask, what's the point? The point is that I need to realize that there are more quitters than fighters, and they want me to go away. I also learned that if my feeling get the best of me, I need to return to the subject when I am calmer. The last is that I need not make it get the best of me. I am better than that.

Wow, that feels good.

Thanks for letting me ramble on. And God Bless all those who travel through my little blog.

Carol

Just when you think you've seen it all....

What a day, the humans took me for another ride. This time my leash came with us. I was prepaired for another car ride and I was sure I could keep my breakfast down. At least I hoped. I am loving this ride thing.

Then we pulled into this place full of trees, and other things. What was John up too. Oh my gosh, Carol opened my door and clipped on my leash. This was new.

On top of it she wanted me to jump out. Really, I am a puppy, what is she thinking....ok, I will try. I made it, of course I looked as though I knew I could. What next was coming. We walked through this wonderful place with smells that would send you out of this world. We picked out two bushes and started back to the car, I thought.

But no, into this building, I didn't want to go. But John assured me we were ok. I met three new humans, got a treat, and back into my car.

Once again, I am truly worldly and no one knew I was new at this.

As always buffs to all of you that travel through MY blog.

Austin.

The beginning of a great thing.

No, it hasn't anything to do with a romance. It has to do with our front yard. We have been waiting for nicer weather to get out and bring the front yard to life. We realize that trees have to be planted right a way, they need time to plant their roots and become strong underground before doing anything great above ground.

So one pine and a crab apple tree were planted last year in our back yard. This winter another pine went in and now the dogwood in the front. We have a lot of work to do yet but wanted to show the progress. Hopefully in a few weeks the front will be planted and I can show what it looks like before all starts to bloom.

God Bless all those who travel through my little blog.

Carol