I'm Here, I'm There, I'm Everywhere!

I know my posts have been a bit sporadic lately,

and I apologize,

but that thing called life keeps getting in my way!

If anyone out there knows how to get it to leave them alone,

please share the secret!!

Between Doctor appointments, the big ''D'', all that entails

 and creating, there just doesn't seem to be enough

time or energy in the day!

The kids and I just keep running and running....

where the finish line is I just don't know! LOL

Actually, I don't think there is one

My gardens are a mess, so is the house, Mount Laundry finally got done due to those dear people at Purex for sending me to try and review their new Purex Ultrapacks plus Oxi  Laundry Detergent. That reminds me there is still time to enter the fab GIVEAWAY!Pop over and enter for a free package!

I miss catching up with all of you.

But sometimes things have to give and

unfortunately my blogging suffered,

as did my Etsy Shop.

But I'm hoping things settle down a bit...

ahh, who am I kidding.

C will be having surgery for his 

Ganglion Cyst in the near future.

Waiting on the EMG to see if a

Carpel Tunnel surgery will be done

 at the same time.

His primary care physician has ordered

another Sleep Study which takes place next week.

He already had his PFT done.

He goes to the dentist tomorrow..

yes, we are paying for all the

Dr's. new 2014 vehicles this year.

Those of you who follow me on Facebook, know how I feel about all the Dr's. and tests. Most of these visits have been a waste of time since none of the tests were done. Ah, insurance....why do they always put the cart before the horse???

''Incompetence Runs Rampant''

Yep, Still my favorite saying,

unfortunately.

Thought I would take this opportunity to share

what's been going on in the craft room ♥

 A few things I've finally finished

Halloween Items

A basket full of faux Caramel Apples,
"Boo" Pumpkins,
and "Witch's Books  

A passel of "Potions"

Witch's Apothecary

Scary Signage

Potion and Spell Books

 

  

 

"Together Forever"

"Boo" Pumpkins

Other Items

 Embellished Candles 

Found Roadside Drawer 

turned Foot Stool

 

Sorry this turned into such a long post

Hope to see you next time

What have you been up to?
Crafting?
Gardening?
Or has real life gotten in your way too?



The Sun Gets Hungry Too!

My Gazebo

This is what my Gazebo started out like about 8 years ago.

Climbing plants were added throughout the years all the way around it, so eventually I would have ''walls''.

The only exception was, of course, the entrance

and a faux doorway.

Looking through side portals

Windows were added

And a Petunia chair to the outside corner

Update to now.

I purchased this replacement roof from the same company that made this gazebo.  The replacement, cost an arm and a leg, never fit just right like the original did. It was a tad too small and just kind of wonky (that is a word right?).

That was about 4 years ago.

Needles to say the Sun and weather have taken

their toll and the cover is in shreds.

Which is what I was waiting for.

Yes, that may sound odd, but my initial plan was to have a cover long enough for the variegated and regular Honeysuckle and climbing Roses time to mature and grow big enough to provide cover for the roof.

They are almost there, so no need to buy a replacement that probably won't fit correctly again!

On the bright side, (pun intended) I don't have to take down my Mason Chandy and place it in the Sun to recharge.

There is plenty of Sun that reaches it now :)

Hopefully my container plants will still

have enough protection

from the elements to continue to thrive.

Odd but the large piece that is left protects

them from the afternoon Sun.

I would have thought that piece would

be the first to get eaten up.

I'm sure when Winter arrives there

 probably won't be much of it left.

But come next Spring,

it will look marvelous!

yeh, yeh, fingers crossed ;)

Til next time, get out there and get those pretty nails dirty!

Purex UltraPacks plus Oxi (Review and Giveaways)

When I heard Purex Ultrapacks had added Oxi to them I was supper excited and anxious to try them. 

I was lucky enough to be chosen to review these powerful little pillows with their added stain fighting power of Oxi!

They arrived in the mail at the end of a week

where I hadn't been home very much due to day after day of multiple doctor appointments for my youngest.

That meant I hadn't touched Mount Laundry..

yuck!

This is all I'm showing you -

sorry but you're not going to see the other mountain on the floor!

Having these powerful easy to use Purex Ultrapacks plus Oxi

were sure to blast through any stains that had been waiting for me.

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With no mess, no spills, no heavy bottles,

 Purex Ultrapacks with Oxi contain

a complete load's worth in each convenient pack.

No measuring, just toss and go.  

Add your clothes next.

They dissolve quickly, even in cold water, releasing the concentrated liquid laundry detergent.

Best of all they work in all machines!

Needless to say,

our laundry came out clean, fresh and great smelling!

Now for the giveaways from Purex .

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Purex UltraPacks plus Oxi detergent 

If you'd like a chance to win a free coupon ~
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Be sure to enter the Sweepstakes below also!!

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Disclosure:

 I was NOT compensated for this product review post.

Purex provided me with a sample of Purex UltraPacks plus Oxi in exchange for a product review. However all opinions expressed here are my own.  

Thank you Purex :)

No More Lawn At Last!! Update

An update from my first post

How to easily get rid of your lawn and add whatever you'd like to put in it's place; easy low maintenance plants, landscape rock, vegetable garden, rose garden, the choice is yours only limited by your imagination!

I had wanted to get rid of it for so long. Let's face it, lawn takes a lot of maintenance and water. This was in 2008, we hadn't met our rainfall for the last few years, the very early beginning of our now severe drought. My neighbors thought I was crazy at the time!

I covered the existing lawn with a thick layer of newspaper. On top of the newspaper added a thick layer of compost. The newspaper kills the lawn and turns into compost too. I consider it the lazy woman's way to garden. I really don't consider myself lazy, but I don't go looking for extra work if I can get away with an easier method =) Neighbors didn't understand why I didn't dig up the lawn, remove a layer of soil and replace it with "good" soil. 

Recycled brick edging from the farm along the sidewalk to coordinate with rest of front garden area. Salvaged rock, from farm neighbor, made property line border. Keep that lawn over there!

I found this beautiful red slate at the quarry. I made paths from the sidewalk and driveway to the main sidewalk. Added some spring bulbs and a few Iris.

One year old

More plants were added - the garden was in a state of evolution. White and purple Violets, Foam Flower then Lily of the Valley and other perennials

Two years old

more planting of perennials and a Pomegranate,

 previous years plants are bigger

Three years old

Still filling in nicely and evolving. Cherry tree was added.

Most recent

Some plants have flourished, some didn't. Along the way my dream white bike was added with basket full of petunias, Mom's Dove was added to my birdbath, a garden bench is in there somewhere, a garden lamp was added, and tons of Pomegranates are produced each year. I love it. Does my home look like anyone else's? Nope. We were the only house without a porch - we moved in and put up the huge arbor (now covered with climbing Roses and Jasmine) and now have NO LAWN. Nope, we're not a cookie cutter house any more ;) 

House Entry showing some propagated Red climbers from Mom's garden on the left and beautifully fragrant Jasmine on the right.

Other posts you may be interested in:

No More Lawn a At Last!!!

More Lazy Gardener Tips

Leaf Litter, Let It Lay