It is what is is!

I have been busy this June...so far.  We had a horrible rainy first weekend this June 2012. But, with rain followed by sunshine, comes rainbows! In between rain showers, Will and Jammie had a shish kebob cookout at their home in Fredonia. During the evening, a DOUBLE RAINBOW appeared in the evening sky. It was gorgeous and memorable. My friend, Darlene Hanna, caught her very own view of a double rainbow this week! What a perfect photo!

Tuesday, June 5th, was the second anniversary of Todd's trip to heaven - I still miss him.  The Peace Lily that my siblings provided for the funeral home is blooming this week - isn't it awesome!

Friday evening, Darlene came on over to my "house" for a heart to heart girl talk. We sat in my "front yard" on lawn chairs. The markings of where the house will be were behind us AND the view out the front was awesome!! I cannot wait to have a real covered front porch, landscaping done and a warm fuzzy feeling inside. But who knows when that might be....as far as the house progress, we are still awaiting the completed survey to start the next step.  My motto now...."it is what it is".

Saturday, I attended Strawberry Days in Grove City with my friend, Mo, her sister Patty and niece Elizabeth. It was a good day! The weather was not too bad for walking around and checking out the craft goods displays. What did I buy?  The Amish had a couple of booths; I stopped at both of them. I now am the proud owner of a woven 'market' basket, homemade by the Detweiler family from outside of Clintonville AND the cinnamon sugar donut was delicious!  Lunch was a hot sausage sandwich from the Kof C food booth, doesn't it all look so good?

Saturday night, the Barkeyville Coffee House was attended by many musicians and music lovers. I visited with an old classmate from grade school and high school; Tom Walter. Karen and Paul Douds stopped in from New Castle and of course, the Hanna gang. The variety and styles of music were a good combination for the evening of entertainment.

Learning and doing

(Workers were on vacation this week.)

My brother Rick was teaching my boys about transits and the land grade; I was trimming trees. The boys usually stop after work each day. They are helping with whatever they can. We have the digging area marked with the white lines. My cabin will be SMALL.  But, it will be cute and just for me. (Still waiting on survey to get permits)

I borrowed Rick's extension pruner

(mine is in Cody's shed for safe keeping).

24 x 30 is not a very big place but it really will be

40 x 30 with 8 foot covered porches on the front and back!

The Mailbox

My brothers Darren and Rick helped me put up the mailbox today. I have the best brothers in the world.  I must run to town to get my address/house numbers. Maybe tonight. I am so tired today.  But the post went in after the hole was dug and then the box was installed.  I hope we did it to the USPS specifications.

I have given my blessings for Rick to be in charge of the building of my garage and house; I am in way over my head with decision making and I know Rick will do it right. I remember long ago giving him rides so he could attend Community College of Allegheny County for carpenter school. He earned his two year degree and then was a journeyman carpenter before he went out on his own with Coast Construction. I wish he was in better health to do the work himself; but he cannot even finish his own building needs until he feels better. He feels he can handle being my agent when needed for the construction phase of my cabin.

Happy Birthday Todd!!

Sure do miss you still. Happy 54th Birthday.
You would laugh at the email I got today from Kawasaki:

Hello Day-dreamer,

We at Kawasaki Motorcycle Forums would like to wish you a happy birthday today!

Little reminders are always popping up in my life,
you are dearly remembered and missed.
Keep on laughing!
Your jelly bean, Julie

21 Years

Has it really been that long? I still wish Dad were here to bounce ideas off of and get his opinion on certain things in life. He died too young, that is for sure.  April 27th, 1991 was the day dad was finishing up pruning some of the orchard and mowing. He came in to the house to take a rest and never got back up. We think he died peacefully, after a hard day's work. The apple trees blossomed for his funeral and mom used those budding branches instead of fussy flowers; that would have pleased dad.

Flower Buds...

Wednesday -- I took off!!!

I planted some bulbs last fall of these beautiful pink tulips - they are gorgeous.

I had a lot to do that did not fit into any of my weekend days or my free short mornings or evenings, so I took the day off with my team leader's permission. Thanks, Adam for finding me a replacement. I got a lot accomplished. 

I was able to finish up the burn pile that Cody did last night. Freddie the well-driller was there and helped me too. He has found a good lot of water at 115 feet but wants to go a little deeper. I helped Rick clean the upstairs of his home, which is unfinished. I will be moving there soon. I have turned in my 30 day notice here at the apartment and will be out by Mother's Day in May. This will save me money and will put me close to my house build so I can help when needed. It will all work out.

I finally saw the survey pins today. Here is one in the back of my little piece of heaven.

GOD IS GOOD
ALL THE TIME