Insurance for Happiness

I have insurance for happiness.  I have a library of good books to read and a DVR full of old movies to watch.  I have two cats to pet and feed and lots of family to talk  to on the telephone.  I have a slew of  women friends to exercise with and a yard full of flowers and plants to water.  I have a wonderful husband who can cook and washed the blinds in the den without me asking him.  Even so, I have to be honest, my best insurance for happiness is my dog, Sardis!

 "Come on mama, let's go for a walk!"

Sardis with my sock!

Thorns may hurt you,
men desert you, 
sunlight turn to fog;
but you're never friendless ever, 
if you have a dog.

Douglas Mallock

What do you have as insurance for happiness?

Love,
Lottie

Treasure Today

That's what I used to say all the time when my sons were 10 and 12 years old.  It seemed they were interested in everything!  And of course I saved what ever they put together or created or found.  I put it all in a display case as if our home was a museum! That was 20 years ago!

I was taking each creation out today and dusting when I stopped a minute. 

 

I took a minute to remember watching them spend hours bent over a table gluing or holding their little hands together making a little pot on their dad's lap at his potter's wheel.

Both sons have moved across country and I have been adjusting to their absence each day.  What has helped most has been your wonderful comments! Thank you for sharing with me!

Oh my goodness!  I can't even dust without getting emotional! I usually love dusting, but today I'm having a hard time.  Does that ever happen to you?

Have a great week!

Love,

Lottie

Beauty of July and Red Bistro Set

Hello bloggy friends!  I think July is just beautiful!

Bright orange Tiger Lilies bloomed 4th of July!

Watermelon Crepe Myrtle's are like fireworks bursting in the sunshine!

Our small butterfly bush looks pretty through the window..

Sparking raindrops on a geranium in the yard.

I wanted to share a picture of a red bistro set we bought for the side porch. I love the red!  And it is so July!  DH and I take our breakfast out in the morning to start our day together.  And on the few days that it rains, I love to sit out and watch the rain!

Every time I walk up the porch, it makes me smile. My neighbor, who is 94, told me that if you buy something that makes you happy, then you spent your money well! With all due respect to my hardworking, creative bloggy friends, this bistro set is not vintage. I didn't buy it at a yard sale, nor did I paint it myself.  In fact, I bought it brand new at Wal-mart at regular price!  And I love it! But I was a little apprehensive about sharing it on the blog because it wasn't vintage.  DH had to put it all together so maybe that counts as DIY!

I have to get over this guilty feeling from buying something new!  Maybe I need to go shopping and try to cure myself! LOL!

Have a great week!
Love,
Lottie

                                                  Linked with  http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Moss Rose, Portulaca, for a broken heart

I can't believe it has been two months since I've written to my bloggy friends!  I've been struggling with carpel tunnel syndrome for awhile now and trying to mend a broken heart at the same time.

You see, both my grown sons, 30 and 32, have moved across country from me and their dad.  One was offered an incredible new job and the other was offered a promotion.  I didn't expect both to move away within the same month of June.  But it is all good and an indication that the economy is doing better.  My heart is still breaking.  Dan, my oldest, hugged me before he walked out the door and said, "Mom, a man has to follow opportunity!"  He is right.

 

I was in a state of shock for awhile and my sister-in-law told me to "snap out of it!"  So I went to Lowe's and bought a Moss Rose, or Portulaca Rose as we used to call them. It brings joy to my heart. When I was a child in hot, hot Texas, my mom had strawberry pots filled with Portulaca Rose and that was about all!  The flowers were so beautiful! Thinking of them brings back happy memories of sitting in the sunshine as a child.   

Prescription for a broken heart = remember something that made you happy and try to find it again!

Miss Natalie couldn't understand why I was taking pictures on the deck and not taking pictures of her!  Here she  is!


Have a wonderful day!  I've missed you!  Feels so good to be writing to you again!


Love,
Lottie

To see other beautiful Portulaca Rose. visit Poppy at Poppy View.