House and Wildflowers

The escrow on the house looks like its going through. Its passed inspections and the bank appraisal. So escrow should close before the end of the month. Our lease ends the end of May so we won't be moving in until closer to that time.
I spoke with our landlady yesterday and of course, she wants a written 30 day notice. I found our rental agreement and it started on the 22nd of May last year so guess that's what we will put down. We can start moving out before that date so will start packing and cleaning this little place. In some ways, I will be sad as its been a haven for us in many ways. God has blest us here and its rather peaceful. Although I won't miss the heavy traffic and noise of the fire trucks that come from the fire station at the end of the street!

 We've had some rain so hope we get wildflowers like we had last year. The hills are green so its a possibility.

Here are a few photos of some beauties from last year.

                                     Californian Poppies

                                   Poppies, daisy's and lupine

Sunday Relaxing

We go out during the week to pick up our grandson. He's in first grade and doing good. The school has some open land across from it and views of the mountains. It also has a area where after rains a pond forms..Alan and I enjoy walking around it and watching all the birds who gather this time of year. We've noticed many species, right now its red winged black birds, Mallard ducks and an occasonal snowy egret.
Here are a few pics I took,

The pictures aren't the best, it was a gray day as a storm was coming in. We've had several this last week.

Here is the view across from the school

This was taken on a different trip, when there were blue skies and nice clouds. The area in the foreground is where parents park to pick up their kids. We like to park early and walk. I am trying to lose some weight and get some stress relief. Hearing the bird calls,  blue skies and quiet is very calming.

I had a yearly checkup this last week and the doctor asked me how I was dealing with all the stress and life changes. I said I liked to listen to relaxing music and walking. . She did put me on a mild anxiety medication which I started taking. She said it wouldn't really taken effect for a few weeks so we'll see. I'm also taken blood pressure meds so I'm trying to get my weight down. I really don't like taking pills. I've never taken much medicine.

Jesus says to give our anxiety to Him and I do often. I've prayed and felt He wanted me to get a check up. I was not a little surprised on my weight and think I packed on a few more pounds living in this tiny condo..our cats have gained weight too. I'm eliminating carbs and eating more vegetables and fresh fruit.  No sodas or candy or anything salty (BP)  Time will tell if it works.
If you're battling anxiety, get a check up and get some help. Some times your doctor is God's messenger.

Update on House

Yesterday we went with our realtor to be there for the inspector. It went well. We knew there was alot of little things that needed to be fixed but nothing major. The roof, electric and ;pipes are ok. The dishwasher doesn't work but our son was going to replace it anyway. I don't mind doing dishes also and have been for the last year here in the condo. It comes with a nice fridge so we'll be leaving ours here for the next tenant, its really too hard to move. We had to take it apart to get it in the kitchen. I don't want to do that again!

These houses in Sun City, the old ones are all electric. Evidently, all electric was the "thing" in the 60s. I was a kid then  but I do faintly remember commercials touting all electric homes. Am I remembering right?

The condo's that we are currently living in were built all electric too but many have been converted to gas. They orginally were all 1 bedroom too but many have converted to two bedroom which is what we have. We have a very nice gas  stove which I really like. The kitchen at the house has an electric cook top. It works so guess I'll have to get used to it.

The yard is a real mess and will take several years probably to get right. The back chain link fence is falling down, mainly because the behind neighors trees and bushes have grown through the chain link and are pushing it over.Their ivy is taking over the our yard too so first we will have to have a talk with our neighbor about this. Our son has two small dogs and doesn't want them getting out of the yard. Plus we all want to have a nice yard with raised beds and a fruit tree or two.

Next week, the bank building inspector will be there so there will be two inspections done. Always a good thing to do with a  old house. This was built in 1965. I was in high school, a freshmen when these were built.

I remember driving by with my parents on the old 395 highway and seeing Sun City. I thought it was for old people (it was) and now here I am. No more 395 and Sun City is still here.

and now a funny...

A Move?

We've had an eventful month. The big news is we may be moving again soon. Our oldest son has put a big in on a 4 bedroom home and he wants us to move in with him. We're waiting now to see if the seller accepts the bid or not. The bid was placed on Friday so hopefully we'll hear soon.

Here is a pic of the house. It was built in the 60s and does need work. We're going to help him renovate it, mostly painting and new flooring. The yard in the back needs alot of work as its a blank slate. But you know us, we do love to garden!

The two trees on the left are a tangelo and an orange tree. They had fruit on them when we all looked at the house and the fruit was really good. I rather like the design of the house. It's a little different than the track homes of today. The rooms inside are rather big and it has a brick fireplace in the living room. The garage is huge, well over a two car garage.

I'll let you know how it works out. I'm putting it in God's Hands.

Back again, new stitching and an estate sale

Sorry, I haven't posted in some time. Our grandson got sick with the dreaded flu so he was under our care for about a week with no school. Poor guy had a fever, chills, muscle aches and slept most of last week away. The doctor said to keep  him out of school. He's much better now and back to himself. lively and smiling again.
His daddy took him out on the weekend to a fire station. The firemen were so nice and gave them a tour. Does he look cute in his uniform?

While he was sleeping, I was stitching and finished a few things that I will be putting in my Etsy shop very soon. I made alot of floral cards and am working on this hanging. Its almost done and much further along then the photo. I'm going to frame in the hoop.

I really like the Urban Threads site so many cute patterns..here is another one I stitched and have hanging in our kitchen.

This pattern also has one for dogs which I intend on stitching too. These are all hand stitched by the way.

I also worked and opened my other Etsy shop, The Chinalake Shop and have been listing so far some vintage cooky cutters, and old cookbooks.
We went to an estate sale this last weekend just for fun and found these darling little baskets. For some reason I just love them.
So hand for storing buttons, thread, stamps, etc.

What is neat is that the smaller one in the front, fits insdie the larger one. These are very small and cute stacked for decoration too. I don't know how old they are but the colored one reminds me of trivets and stuff that was made in the 70s so they  might be that old

We also got our cats a new scratching  post.They love it!

Happy New Year and a look back

I just decided to dress up my blog for the spring. Yes, a early spring but spring all the same. Here in southern California, winter is very mild and some of our flowers bloom year round. It has gotten colder but mild so far anyway.  No rain either which is disappointing but not unexpected.

2017 was a hard year for us, losing our house wasn't on the agenda when we started out the year but sadly it did  happen. The unsual thing that has happened is the second lein holder who evicted us now paid all the back payments to the first. Of course, when we were forced to leave, we didn't make any house payments but paid  our new rent. Hence there were back owned payments that the second. recently paid along with two months of additional payments. Very curious and never heard of if you believe our agent who has worked in real estate for many years.She is investigating to see if she can find out anything. She represents us to the mortage companies. A mystery for sure and only time will tell what the second has in mind. Frankly, I think they really don't know what they're doing. Its just a small company of 12 employees.

I am hoping and praying that 2018 will be a great year for not only us but my readers too.  wishing you health, joy and happiness!

Vintage Postcards for Christmas

I 'm sharing some darling vintage postcard graphics. I got these from some guys that I've known for some time when I had another blog and crafted with vintage graphics. I made some great memory jars using them.
They have a Facebook page, Vintage Image Craft

 Of course, as I love cats, I shared all the cat postcards!

Peanut butter, cookies and the Christmas house

I get Birds and Blooms magazine. When I read the latest issue, they suggested putting peanut butter on the bark of the tree for the birds. As we get alot of migrating birds here, I decided to try it. My! has it been successful or what? This morning I saw alot of birds feasting on the peanut butter so I recommend doing this as its so easy and the birds sure appreciate it. They were actually fighting for first place!

I'm in the middle of baking peanut butter cookies. Our oldest son just loves them and often asks me to make him some. This time of year seems like cooky baking time to me so there ya go! I always use real butter in my cookies. It really makes a difference.

Here is a photo of the 4 of us at the Christmas house I spoke of in my last post. I'm next to the big guy who looks like Santa. Our good friends and we had a wonderful time there.

here are a few photos...

 They have Christmas villages both inside and outside. Plus give out hot apple cider and food . They only ask for canned goods for our Community Cupboard to help low income people. Last year they were able to give the Cupboard 10,000 lbs of food.

Menifee Christmas House and a great loss.

Every year, a wonderful family here in Menifee, decoate the first floor of their home for their neighbors and friends. They estimate they have had 14,000 visitors last year. Its truly a wonderful thing and creates such a great spirit in the community. There is no charge and they only ask for people to bring canned goods for the Community Cupboard that helps low income people with food. Its all good will and good times.
There is a complete write up of it, much better than I've expressed. Just click on this link..

Menifee Christmas House 

and you can also view a terrific video here....Menifee Christmas house video

If you are in the area, please visit and you won't be disappointed. Its open every night until Christmas and starts at 5 every evening.

We are mourning the death of a wonderful friend. He was a great guy and was someone immediately became friends with everyone. Warm, generous, and caring man. He left this earth doing good all his life and will be greatly missed. Sadly, Agent Orange struck again as he was a veteran of Vietnam.
Rest in peace, dear brother and good friend, Joseph Balatoni. One of a kind and too good for this world
Here he is with his wife, Kay (of many years and my best friend). He leaves behind his wife and 4 children, one grandchild and other family members.

Cross Stitch Kits

I found some cute little ornament cross stitch kits so if you'd like one or more, let me know. I'll make you a good deal. I think the patterns would be great for card making too so if they don't sell, that's what I'm going to do with them. Cute!
They are all factory sealed and come with cloth, needle, directions and floss.  These are listed in my Etsy shop and you can find that on the left hand side of this blog.

sold!