snow day

if i didn't know any better... i'd think it had snowed!

the wedding

today felt like a weddingthat took place outside
and the sun broke through on cue
the flowers were gathered
arranged and made ready
then surrounded us all
the guests were on time
each one taking their place
the bouquet was thrown

and nature opened to a new beginning I don't know the words to explain how very beautiful the orchard is right now. It feels magical, smells so sweet and there is a tangible hush in the air. The branches reach out to one another and the rows create long arched tunnels covered with blooms. I walk through looking all around...there is such beauty everywhere and it's so overwhelming!

and yes, I cried
I wish I could share this experience with you
all I need is 3D!

visitors to buzz about

As I drove down my long driveway,

I could see these dotting our property.

They came in many colors and make such a racket.
But these bee's are here for a very special purpose!
!
!
!
V
And these are our first almond blooms of the season
Just a few here and there, but with this weeks
sunny forecast, I imagine they'll be popping up
all over the place.
I have one very special fruit tree that has
5 different fruits grafted into one tree.
This should be a sight when in full bloom!

Right now there are only 2 different blooms open...this one...

...and this one

This visitor wasn't very welcome : (

But this one is here to stay!

dining in

This is an 'Anthurium'

plant that I purchased at this

fabulous little place. I think most

would call it a "hole in the wall"

a secret around this part of

Northern California.

It sits here on my dining room table

waiting for the perfect pot to be planted

in. One of the things that I promised myself

after we recently moved was that I would be

patient about making any purchases and not feel

rushed about decorating this house. We purged

ourselves of the things that had no real value

to us. I had the biggest load to get rid of. (call

me a pack rat...or rather a pack elephant)

This house feels sparse right now, but I

feel good about this decision. So, my

eyes are wide open for a vessel.

We will be dining here for Valentines Day

and plan to share it with new friends. I imagine

there will be candle light, crystal and sparkling cider.

A few stories shared here and there with a lot of laughter.
With funds being a little tight, creativity is in order

and making that day special by sharing it with

friends makes my heart very happy.

What are you planning to do?

every farm needs one...

this chubby puppy

came home with the hubs

on Saturday afternoon

he is a boxer lab

and very feisty

now i have to rename

our resident owl

because the hubs stole

her name

Zeus

and gave it to

the chubby puppy

whom i call "stinky"

because boy did he reek

and it took two baths

to get rid of that stench

his fur is very beautiful

white blond and fuzzy

rather wrinkly and too big

just like he was wearing

his daddy's coat

be bounces and bites

with his newly sharp teeth

and i know 2 chihuahua's

that don't like him very much

so how can I explain

that he doesn't mean to be rough

he's just a wee baby

that weighs

4 times as much

as you do!

boing

boing

thud!

lupus 101

This is a picture my daughter Angela took of herself yesterday with her cell phone. Then off it went to me because she knows that it will brighten my day no matter what else is going on. Yesterday I went to the hospital from the flare I had been suffering from for the last few days. I was a mess by the time my hubs wheeled me in. It has been 6 months since my last really bad episode, the lighter ones I can handle on my own.

Lupus behaves differently in everyone. After living 15 years with it, I still haven't figured out what triggers flares. Attacks are very random and can occure at any time of the day or night. I am often asked what happens to me during a flare, so I thought I would share the progression that takes place with you:

I start to feel really tired and worn out
a slight burning sensation begins in all of my joints
my skin becomes sensitive to the touch
my muscles begin to twitch and cramp with pain
electrical shocks race through my body
headache and nausea begin
my chest feels heavy and breathing becomes labored
pain increases around my bones

Then symptoms take it up a notch or two and I have been known to briefly pass out. All of this started up around Tuesday afternoon and by Thursday morning I cried, "Uncle" and the hubs took me in for a shot. We use the hospital pain level number system (severity of pain being at 1, 2, 3, -->10) to communicate where I am at in the flare. The shot slows most of this down and then I quietly rest through the remainder until all symptoms are under control. Like I stated earlier, the less intense flares I can handle on my own.

You may know someone with lupus and I am here if they need information, or just an ear to listen. Feel free to share any information that helps to combat pain, or any helpful keys to living with a chronic disease.