Thursday, February 24, 2011

" Surprises "

It feels like a long time since I last posted. I know it's just been a few days but it somehow feels longer. I haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary but I did come across a few little surprises this week.


I wanted to post on Tuesday night but the movie "Up" came on and I just loved that movie. Jake and I watched it a few months ago and we both really enjoyed it so I had to watch it again.
Tuesday I cleaned my little apartment upstairs. Not a big thorough cleaning, just a little straightening up, changed the sheets and such. While upstairs I came across a few little surprises. For weeks now I have been searching everywhere for my favorite bracelet that my husband bought for me for Valentine's Day in 2010. I still haven't found it but I also still haven't given up hope.
One of the things that I found pertains to an upcoming "Collections" post. Inside of this thing that I found, I also found a whole other collection that I had completely forgotten about. It was a very nice surprise but it made me wonder "Do other people completely forget about things that they have?". I really thought that I knew or remembered everything that I owned but I guess not. So now I have two different collections that I will post about soon.


Something else was in this thing that I had given up hope on ever finding. The funny thing is that I was thinking about it just a few days previous. It was a little pendant that I had saved my money to buy when I was in the sixth grade. I remember spotting it in the jewelery case at Sears in Chicago at North and Harlem Avenues. It is very small, I am posting two photos of it. I had a heck of a time capturing the details on it because of it's size.




I can't remember how much it cost but I do remember a five. So I am thinking that it was either $5.00 or $15.00. It is solid silver and has a dancer on it. It almost looks like it's from India to me.







I'm sorry for the poor photo quality but it was the best that I could do.
I really thought that this little pendant was long gone. I have had it for over 40 years. I am going to wear it again. It's been a very long time!
Something else that I came across while cleaning upstairs was my garden journal. I started writing in it in 2006. I was reading through it last night and was amazed by all of the information about my plants that I had wrote and forgot about! Helpful information. I also put photos of the progression of the garden in it and it was fun to look at all of them. Katie was 12 years old when I started it and she made the cover for it, front and back. I love it!








I just love what she wrote on the covers, it's priceless! I also wrote various happenings in our lives over the years in this journal but focused mostly on the garden. For example, I learned that our dog Ruby will be 5 years old this summer. I cannot believe we've had her that long!





I also learned that it was 3 years ago this summer that our little stray dog, Roxy, found her way up our driveway and into our hearts. She was sent to us from God. She showed all the signs of being abused, we took her in and gave her ton's of love. She is truly a sweet and loving little thing!





I remembered how much I loved writing in this journal at the end of a hard days work in the garden sitting under my tree with a glass of wine. It was just heavenly!


I stopped writing in it December 5th 2009. My last post was "Mom passed away." It doesn't seem that long ago as I can still feel that aching pain in my gut when I think about it. I miss her so much, but I also think that it's time that I started writing in it again.


That's mom on the left sitting next to Katie on her eighth grade graduation.


Another little surprise that I found on Wednesday, the daffodils are poking through the ground! Here's a photo of them in bloom from last year.




A sign of spring for sure!


This morning as I dropped Katie off at school, I noticed that it was 
"Bring your tractor to school day.". We live in a farming community and every year the kids in the FFA bring their tractors to school. 
Crazy right? But it is sort of cool!





As usual I didn't have my camera on me so I went home to get it. I must start taking it with me everywhere!!!!!!!








And that's what my last few days have been about. I am still reading "Eat, Pray, Love". I know it takes me forever but I don't read it everyday. It's very good. I want to see the movie when I'm through with it. 

Almost done with my daughters crochet project and have been thinking of a new one. I already have something in mind for someone special.
I am hoping to get a "Collections" post in this weekend but I don't know. My husband should be home and he's in pretty bad shape. I want to take care of him so I may not be back until next week.

Until next time, love to you all. Enjoy your weekend!

29 comments:

Rebecca said...

You're right! The journal cover is PRICELESS!

I can also imagine the flood of emotions you experienced when you came to the last entry...

Sometime, tell us (me?) more about your apartment upstairs. Have you ever rented it out? What would be the "downside" of that? Does it have a separate entrance? (I'm curious.)

I'm happy to hear you found the jewelry you thought lost/and forgotten. What a pleasant surprise.

I know you'll take good care of Jake. I pray that he'll be able to rest and relax and get some relief. I'm so sorry for his pain.

Love to YOU, Di. You are a special lady!

Lois Evensen said...

Oh, I love the journal. Isn't it wonderful to rediscover things from the past. What wonderful memories!

Have a wonderful weekend, Diana.

Hugs,
Lois

Gail said...

HI DI-

Oh how I love all the treasures you have found and brought back to life. And I had no idea there was a lil apartment in your home. That is so cool. Great picture of your Mom Di. And I have NEVER heard of "Bring your tractor to school day" until I read your post. I am fascinated and I think itis wonderful. Who knew? :-)

Love you
Gail
peace.....

Rae said...

You have made some amazing discoveries during the last few days. It is exciting to recover a long lost treasure. Your dogs are sweet. Love that expression on Ruby. Roxy is a lucky girl to have someone like you caring for her now. Wow - I can't believe you have an early sign of daffodils. We only have mud and from the sounds of weather reports there is going to be even more of it tonight. have a great weekend Di.

Diana said...

Hi Rebecca,
I emailed you about the apartment. I've posted about it in the past but you may not have been a follower then.

When I read that last entry in the journal it was very difficult. But at least I felt ready to move on with it!

Jake is still in pretty bad shape. He needs more time off but there's just now way right now. Love Di ♥



Hi Lois,
I have been finding a lot of things lately, just not my bracelet!
You have a good weekend too!
Love Di ♥


Hi Gail,
I think Tractor day is pretty neat! I did notice that there wasn't as many there this year as in years past. I was wondering if it wasn't because of the economy? The price of fuel maybe. Love Di ♥


Hi Rae,
It's been raining here all afternoon. I was really surprised to see the daffodils popping through too. I am guessing the Forsythia will be budding next. Have a great weekend, and I hope you don't get any of that snow they are talking about! Love Di ♥

Wanda..... said...

Hi Di...loved that you have a garden journal, I have one too, but stopped writing in it about the time I started blogging. Your 40 year old pendant is lovely, it can become a family heirloom! My daffodils are poking through too, not much, but I can see them!

Enjoy the weekend with Jake.

Diana said...

Hi Wanda,
I discovered that I am more likely to reread my written journals than my blog posts.
I was reading some of my mothers journal last night and there is just something about seeing her handwriting on paper.
I'm not surprised that you have one too! Love Di ♥

All Dolled Up Doll Clothes said...

Hi Di, I am so glad you found your pendant. Isn't it amazing how these things appear, having only thought about them days or moments before? Tractors...gotta love that. :)
Hugs
Terrie

Diana said...

Hi Terrie,
There is something so COOL about these future farmers driving their tractors to school!
Love Di ♥

Anvilcloud said...

I love that you adopted Roxy but kinda hate that you have daffs already (not really).

Diana said...

Hi Ac,
Jake and I feel so bad for whatever Roxy went through. But I will tell you that she is so spoiled now!
I'm not sorry about the Daffodils, yours will come. In about three months!! LOL! Love Di ♥

jules said...

That's so neat that you found that pendant, I love old things like that.

I sure hope Jake is feeling better, he's been having a rough winter so far. I feel so bad for those guys when they are away from home and are injured or sick.

Lynilu said...

I love that cute little Ruby face! And Roxy reminds me so much of a sweetheart that wandered into our lives back in 1974. Almost the same sweet face. We named her "Mystery" because we didn't know her story. She remained our precious love, gentle protector, and faithful friend for a dozen years. Sadly, a well-meaning neighbor gave her some bones which splintered and cut her stomach to bits. :( We were crushed to lose her.

I'm happy for your good fortune of finding that pendant! Don't you love that kind of surprise? :)

Diana said...

Hi Jules,
I can honestly say that this has been a very hard winter for Jake. I think it has to do with his age too.
If anyone understands this life, it's you.
We should do a post about being a trucker and then one on being a truckers wife!
Love Di ♥


Hi Lyn,
Isn't it strange how we remember each pet we've had? They are our family after all. It has taken Roxy all this time just to learn to play. Jake and I feel so bad for whatever she went through. We know it wasn't good. But she is very happy and loved now! Love Di ♥

Maria said...

Hi Diana!
What a fun post to read...
Yes, I spend too much time looking for lost things! I hope you find your bracelet, Diana!
I love your "new find" too. It's great when that happens.
Your garden journal is a great idea. Your mother must be smiling that you found it and are continuing in it.

Ruby and Roxy look like great dogs. How wonderful for Roxy that she found you!
She looks beautiful now!
Oh you have daffodils coming through! We're supposed to get a little more snow this weekend. After all that nice sunshine... well, it is still February in the northeast!

Have a sweet weekend, Diana!
Take care!
Love, Maria
ps. I love your February photo in the top right! Such a cute statue!

Margaret Pangert said...

"Tells where plants grow good and where they die." That is so precious! We could have used that map when we moved here. I wonder if your daffodils were in the book: bulbs always surprise you! And you're ahead of us. Nothing growing yet!
Eat, Pray, Love is a wonderful book, isn't it? (the movie seemed to be missing something, though.) We want to see The King's Speech Saturday, just in the nick of time for the Oscars. Wd also like to squeeze in Black Swan!
You look so much like your mother, Diana. So sorry for your loss.
Love, Margaret

Donna's Book Nook said...

Di--I loved this post, with all it's "surprises". The journal cover is priceless. It's also so great to find things you mis-placed or thought you no longer had.

I know finding the entry about your mom was difficult. My Mom's been gone a long time, but I still really miss my Dad--he's been gone close to 3 years.


Hope Jake is soon much better.

Lena said...

Have the best of weekends, Di...
loads of love! XXX

Teresa said...

Hi Di,
This was a fun post to read. Maybe you should start writing in your Garden Journal again...sounds like you really did find it heavenly. Your mom would not want you to give up the things you love. Also glad you found other treasures like the pendant, and remembering another blessing...sweet little Roxy. Love you Di...keep smiling!
(((HUGS))) TT

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Those tractors in front of the High School brings back memories. That could'a been my High School years ago.

Sweetie, I just wanted to thank you for hoppin' on my blog. I sure hope ya enjoy the ride. Woohoo!!!

God bless and have an amazin' weekend girl!!! :o)

Unknown said...

I love the tractor day, my boys would have really loved that...now I will have to go home and write in my journal! I have kept one since 1995, when my computer crashed I lost the last 4 years of it but luckily I started the blog for 3 that. It amazes me sometimes to read what I wrote 10 years ago....how I have grown, lived and learned and accepted life on better terms...I better go write, it has been a couple of months!

tattytiara said...

"Do other people completely forget about things that they have?"

As somebody who has moved within the past year, I can assure you that the answer is a resounding YES. The amazing thing is you can forget you have it completely, but when you find it again suddenly you're convinced you can't live without it and have to drag it around for the rest of your life! Ah brains. Funny little organs.

Love the journal.

Barb said...

Hi Di, Getting caught up with you. The Grands are coming for the weekend, so I've been busy grocery shopping, cooking, and baking. I love that you found your necklace - 40 years old - WOW! I know you'll eventually find that bracelet, too. Yes, start writing in your Garden Journal again. The covers that Katie made are wonderful - I like how she says, "Read with Pleasure." Take Care of Jake and have a restful weekend yourself, Di. (It's snowing here...)

Ginnie said...

I love the pendant. Isn't that strange that both you and I wrote about necklaces that we got years ago ... on our latest blogs??

Ronda said...

Hi Diana, it's so nice finding those lost treasures isn't it?! I hope you find your bracelet. Love your garden journal. What a wonderful thing to have and look back on. Erik said you lost your mom around the same time that his mom passed. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's nice to have the memories though.
Everytime I look at Ruby, I think of my childhood dogs, Sam, Sam and Samantha. (I know...not a lot of imagination here). The first Sam we had was 8 years old and severely abused. My dad was a police officer and had been called to a home for one reason or another and came across these dogs. He brought Sam home. My mom wasn't so sure about it because it was obvious Sam didn't like men. He was scared to death of my dad at first. But after time, he became a part of the family. He even saved my moms life once. My mom fell apart when Sam died. She loved that dog so much. I'm so glad to see that you have given Roxy a good home.
You take care of your husband and enjoy your time with him. God bless!
Ronda

Arlee Bird said...

I'm sure if I started going through boxes in my garage I'd find all sorts of things that I've forgotten about or didn't ever realize I had. I guess the more stuff we accumulate, the more difficult it is to keep track of.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Amity said...

I feel nostalgic for you dear Di...:)

Finding all those precious things for you and to think that pendant is almost as old as I am? It is really a treasure, you must keep it safe dear. If I were you, I would rejoice in finding it again and sure wear it...

Writing your garden is very nice...reminds you of how you were doing all those years...and those pretty scribbles of your dear katie? even her scribbling is something you can truly treasure in the end...now you gave me an idea here...i may keep a diary too and may start doing it soon...but what am i gonna write? as i dont have a garden, i am afraid it would only contain my getting sick, recovering a bit then back again? what a sad thing to write about...?

your hubby not in good shape? well he needs you most so take good care of him...blogging will not leave you, just come back when everything is fine at your end...:)

love and miss you Di!

Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

It was wonderful to be able to come by and read this post. I should be posting more, but I just don't seem to see any reason to post. All I seem to post now are the Microfictions on Sunday/Monday. I am looking forward to Spring, I think we have had enough Winter.

Keeping happy thoughts for you Di,

Anonymous said...

Lovely post...the Journal is beautiful and a great idea! Straightening up is a wonderful way to find things we thought we'd lost!
I used to be in FHA over 50 years ago...like the idea of the FFA bringing their tractors to school. Fantastic that you live in a community that truly honors the farmer!