Setbacks

Lately, it seems that my whole universe has been flipped on its ear. I think it started going to hell when Danny died. I went even further into depression and my diet and exercise commitment suffered greatly. I am only now starting to feel better emotionally, but now the arthritis in my knee is flaring. I am going to try to work out regardless.

I haven't really had a chance to do much gardening yet, and my amaryllis was coming up nicely until the caterpillars discovered them. Now they are in pieces. Literally.

The poppies are coming along nicely, and I have a slew of beautiful visitors beating a path to my front door. It cheers me up to see them. I have several different species of butterflies coming to the flowerbeds. I wish I knew what this one is..it's so pretty!

Here is a close up of the poppies: The poppies are slightly windblown thanks to our lovely Texas wind, but I think their coloring is absolutely gorgeous.

As far as my relationship with my sister, I have come to the realization that the only course of action is to amputate that relationship. She and I are very different people, and I am at a point in my life where I can no longer tolerate the stress and negativity of being around her. This relationship has become toxic to me, and so, I'm giving up. I'm tired of being dragged into situations that I do not want to be involved in.

This weekend, I am planning on starting up the Aerogardens with some herbs and vegetables, but I am saving one of the Aerogardens to plant with flowers. I haven't decided what kind of flowers yet. Any ideas? Leave your flower suggestions in the comments. My oldest son is trying to get me to plant bluebonnets, but I didn't have any luck with them or the forget me nots I tried to grow last year. I also learned last year that growing mint from seed is a very frustrating and ultimately fruitless experience.

Dentist

I am blogging from my least favorite place in the world, my dentist's chair. It's not that Dr. Nguyen isn't brilliant, he is; it's just that dentists are frightening.

Dental drills should be considered instruments of torture. After a four hour long procedure, I went home.

I had this work done as part of the YOM initiative and because I have been putting this off for too long.

A Wake Up Call That Was Worth It!

Today I got one of the most awesome wake up calls ever! Tony is back! He got back safe, and as an added bonus, I got to see him today.

Now it's a question of waiting on the green machine to get everything in place and let him come home to me.

In other awesome news, my engagement ring finally fits again. Good thing, because I need to get my wedding ring and my anniversary ring resized.

Memorial Day Makeover

I have been bothered by the attempts to commercialize Memorial Day.  As such, I have decided to boycott buying stuff on sale today and spend a quiet weekend at home with my family.

I am using this time to catch up on housework and reorganize my closet. I have lost so much weight that I am having to get rid of clothes left and right. I wish I could give them away, but these clothes are in bad shape, so they are only fit for the garbage.