Thursday This and That

Just a couple of weeks ago, my Aloe Vera plant began to show off its beautiful blooms! It was such a delightful surprise to see its vibrant flowers emerging, adding a burst of color and life to the space. 

The following day, a fierce wind swept through, casting a wild dance of gusts that sent the lovely yellow blossoms tumbling to the ground. 

Bummer!

My son recently shared a delightful photo of a rabbit he spotted at the Cal Vet Home. He insisted it was a big one, likely a jackrabbit! Isn’t it adorable? 

This morning, I snapped a photo of the side table from yesterday's post. I decided to put it upright for now since we haven't yet rolled out the weed barrier and laid down the rocks. Plus, I felt a twinge of guilt for the bumblebees that like to seek refuge under it. 

You can see that this table has seen better days—it's worn and definitely on its last leg. But I can’t bear the thought of tossing it aside just because it’s not in its prime anymore. Rescuing these pieces and breathing new life into them has always been a challenge I enjoy. It’s like a bit of adventure, finding beauty in the imperfect!

The idea that God restores our brokenness and never discards us is a powerful testament to His love, grace, and faithfulness.

Dumpster Diving

Before moving to Shasta County, I lived in San Mateo, near San Francisco. A friend and I decided to go dumpster diving when students cleared out of their dorms at Stanford, and we found amazing items, including furniture. This experience sparked my passion for dumpster diving. 

In San Mateo, our garbage company offered Spring and Fall clean-up days for disposing of unwanted items for free. My friends and I turned it into a semi-annual ritual, cruising through affluent neighborhoods like Woodside, Atherton, and Hillsborough, searching for treasures. The finds were incredible—furniture, kids' toys, and bikes—all of which I repurposed for my daycare.

I was particular about dumpsters and avoided those that smelled. 👃

That side table is the last remnant from my Dumpster Days. I found it in the mid-1990s, and it has been with me for around 35 years. 

After finishing the front section, we’ll tackle the grass area. We still need to agree on a plan. 

Currently, we’re working on trim painting using a method that works for us. We take breaks and chop the project into manageable chunks, spending an hour or so painting in the morning, then treating ourselves to lunch and a nap. After that, we take a small bite of another project. Then it's time to clean up, put away, and have some dinner. 

That's how we roll -  balancing productivity with a little self-care! This way, we are not exhausted or bored. 

I say BIG DEAL

When our new garage door was installed, I noticed an intriguing blue tinge to the gray. However, during painting, the paint color didn't match the door, which bothered my OCD tendencies. In my younger days, this would have stressed me out, but I reminded myself: 'Big deal!'

It's not the end of the world

Who cares what the neighbors think

In the big picture of life, it's not that important. 

I want to avoid unnecessary drama over a couple of shades not aligning perfectly. I might paint the black strip, but it's not a major concern. Interestingly, the steel door matches the paint at certain times of day, which messes with my mind.  😵

**Additionally, we've discovered some pieces of wood trim with dry rot that need replacement and painting. It seems this home project keeps evolving, doesn’t it?

We have a couple of big events.

Tomorrow evening, we will be attending the Friends of Israel Conference in Redding, with attendees from across the country. (7 pm-9 pm) On Saturday, the event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Afterwards, we'll change clothing and head to the Rodeo around 5 p.m. for Armed Services Day, where my husband will represent the Coast Guard. (He served 10 years in each service, both the Navy and Coast Guard) We’ll sit with other Veterans and their families and enjoy a Tri-Tip dinner.

I wasn't going to attend until they mentioned dinner...

Char will meet us there.  I can leave after dinner and the opening ceremonies if needed, while she and her dad enjoy the rest of the rodeo. I'll play it by ear!

I think that about sums up what's going on. 

I may or may not post tomorrow or Saturday...

Until then, 

Debby