Hars and Barbs

and the GREEN is in.....

2008-11-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are after four months, we've finally made it to Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for the efforts to beautify our property. I feel very blessed to be able to share this with those that read our blog. I remember when our boys were young and it was always about golf. I think each of them would love this front yard to hit, practice and get 'closest to the hole' like they used to do growing up in Pleasanton.

Closer to GREEN.....

2008-11-23T14:16:00.001-08:00

Here is what has transpired last week. We anticipate, weather remaining great, to lay sod on Tuesday......

About to go GREEN!!!!!!

2008-11-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the arbor in the front yard. It will be a rose garden in the spring. Our winters here are not good to plant roses, so Hars will have fun in the spring.

Look, no shutters...we also painted the front paneling last week. It goes nicely with the stone on the corners of the house. Notice, we are leaving some of the 'rocks' in the front.

Looking out the front door of the house. You can actually see across the front yard all the way across the street!!!

The front entrance to the house. Quite a change!!!

AND, just in case you were trying to remember the look BEFORE, here you go.....what an improvement. I can't wait for the GREEN to be in. The workers have been progressing and it is all beginning to look like a complete project. We can't wait to "live" outside again!!!

Thanks for reading.....maybe next weekend I can add some more fun pictures as we get nearer completion.

More Progress in San Marcos....

2008-10-15T23:23:00.000-07:00

So, we are making some progress. The landscapers are still working their magic on the hardscape, but it is so fun to see their talent and skills. They seem to enjoy their work. We should be done with the hardscape by the end of October and into the much anticipated 'green' by the first week of November. Without any more unforeseen 'rocks' we should be complete by November 8th. Stay tuned, and thanks for checking us out.

More landscaping.....

2008-09-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the latest pictures of our progress. To all of you who are interested in this project it is very long to get from one thing to another. There is soooooo much rock and soil to move along. Our workers are great. They come every day at 7:00 sharp and leave around 4:00 in the afternoon. They are responsible and take pride in their work. And WORK it is. I have a new found respect for those people who can work in the heat, the rain, and the dust. They really do seem to enjoy the progress. I know they look forward to seeing some GREEN....me too!!!

I was talking to our landscaper yesterday and he said I would have my green back by the first of November. That is pushed out a couple of weeks due to the rock and the few changes we have made. All in all, it will be fun to continue to see the progress. Hang in there with us. AND, thanks for checking this out.

Our Lucy

2008-09-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

We are happy to say that today, September 5th, Lucy is free of pain and able to once again run and see all the beauties around her. We are sad that she is gone but we know that she is in a better place now. Maybe she is even getting 'even' with her sister, Molly. I don't know exactly, but I do have a peace in my heart knowing that she is free.

Lucy graced our family 13 years ago. She was the last of her litter to be born, hence, they named her, 'Lucy come Lately'. We thought that was funny. In fact, we couldn't decide between the bubbly black cocker and the spirited red cocker, so we got both for the price of one plus a little more. These two puppies brought smiles and laughter to our five children. They quickly worked their way into each of our hearts. We loved them and we loved the last three years with Lucy after Molly died.

I remember how one time Lucy ate the whole package of 12 Costco chocolate muffins that Brevin left by the front door one day. I remember how Lucy loved running and bringing back the ball to each of us. I remember how Lucy would chat with us by her unusual noises. I remember how she never complained even when her sister, Molly, was growling at her and acting very angry. I remember how Lucy fell one day out of our van and Summer announced, "Mom, she is definately blind"......well, she recovered and we never forgot that Christmas ride looking at lights in northern California. I remember that in spite of her ailments over the last few years, she always wagged her tail and was truly happy when she felt your presence. I remember how she went for a walk every night with her companion, Hars. Sometimes she was very tired but she knew he wanted to take her for some exercise, and so she went. After she got up the hills around here, she loved coming back down. I remember our road trip with her last year to northern California, Idaho and Utah. She loved being on her perch in the back seat of our car. It was fun to have her with us to see the places her family calls 'home now.' There are so many things to remember when an animal blesses your life and she truly did bless ours. We will miss her.

This marks yet another facet of our life with her passing. As Trace Atkins says, "you're gonna miss this....." how true, we surely will.

Life does go on and we hope that she is enjoying her new adventures as much now and, maybe, even just a little bit more. Happy trails, Luce....You were the BEST!

Progress......

2008-08-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

Progress comes in all forms.....lately we are seeing progress as we see the portapotty move six feet closer to our front door. Really, you ask? Yes, because that means they are working harder on the retaining wall that is going where the portapotty used to be. Little steps!!! We have seen quite a bit of progress this week. The pictures may not depict this, but these workers are dedicated. Every morning on the dot, 7:00 a.m. they begin and work until 4:00 or so. Even they are excited to be doing something other than jack hammering the ever present 'rock' beneath the soil. It is actually fun to see them so excited about their work. We have been told to look forward to Halloween, that is the projected completion date. Good thing we live in California and not in a snowy state (I decided not to name any particular snowy state...).

The first picture shows where the truck used to be, the palms gone, the tree gone, and where the firepit and more grass will be in the future.

I need lessons in blogging. I can't seem to move the pictures where I want them to match my words. Hopefully, you can figure this out. Thanks for sharing in our project.

Sunday Thoughts

2008-08-17T16:49:00.000-07:00

Today I was released from my Stake calling in Relief Society. Now, normally, most of you would be saying, what's next? I know I should be saying this, but I am having a hard time letting go. I enjoyed working with the women of the Escondido South Stake and really feel I was just getting my feet wet. I do know that there is something else for me to do now and I do look forward to the next calling. It has taken me a long time to really get into Relief Society and now I can say that it is an inspired organization for the women of our church. There is so much sisterhood love and it is nice when you feel as though you can say what comes to your mind and not be judged. I will miss my calling, but look forward to new paths.

I also wanted to share that in our gospel doctrine class we are studying the Book of Mormon. We are knee deep in the 'wars' rght now. Our teacher today compared this to the wars nowadays, i.e. Russia and Georgia for one example. It is sometimes difficult to relate to some of the stories in this book, but when we talked about the wars raging today, it seemed more clear to me. We all have our own private wars too, but with the hand of the Lord in our lives, we can strive to make it through as we continue to endure. As we continue to endure to the end, we are making our own Zion here on earth.

Sorry, to get off on all this, but this blog is a great place to share. I don't know what the outcome of the election this year will be. I sometimes am scared to try and understand all perspectives. It is difficult to want to hear the 'truth' and wonder who has it. As we progress through the next few months till November, I am praying for wisdom and patience and the opportunity to make an informed decision.

If you're still reading, great, if, not, I don't blame you. All in all, this entry is about change....callings, presidents, etc.. The one thing that if nourished abundantly that does not change is family. I have an awesome one and I appreciate all that each of my children, children-in-law, and grandchildren do to keep me grounded and informed. Here's to a great week.

Changing Times

2008-08-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

I When I got home Wednesday night I couldn't believe how different things were. I had only been gone 10 days. Our house is really changing fast. I am feeling as though I sit on top of a huge rock and now, I can see for miles and miles. It is an awesome feeling to be able to enjoy the surroundings again. We decided to take the six palm trees out at the driveway and so within 45 minutes this morning they are cut down, chopped up and gone. They sounded like six sonic booms as they came down. So, the truck is gone, the trees are gone, the roses are gone, the view is fabulous and we are excited for all the new landscaping to continue to make us feel like we are home. Where the truck was there will be a firepit and sitting area, how different that will be. Just think all this because of a great birthday present to Dad of a few new trees!!!!

I have collected a few pictures along the way, so here goes with my attempt to 'show and tell'.....

My First Day of Blogging!!!

2008-08-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

Today Kayleen taught me how to blog, well, she did it and I sort of learned. I am now dangerous in the blogging world. I started this to 'catch up' with my children, or I should say my daughter and daughter in laws....Summer, Kayleen, and now, Diana!!!! It has been so much fun for me every night to go on to their blogs and see what the day has brought their families. Anyways, I really wanted to document in some way how my house in San Marcos is changing. As Hars says, it is 'naked' right now. For those that don't know, we are changing our entire landscaping and finding much more yard than we ever thought we had. So stayed tuned to the beginning, the middle, and the end......by then I will be an expert blogger!!!

I will post pictures when I get home this week. Stay tuned!!!