Hi everyone,
I made some notes to follow up on a few of your comments today… but I’ll have to do them maybe tomorrow. It was grass mowing time again… I did better this time, as I was a little more familiar with the mower now. I’ll probably do the trim work with the push mower tomorrow.
I was trying to get something finished and it’s after midnight, so I’m hurrying so I can get to bed.
I thought it was time to show something for the girls, so I made Violette a fun little summery top, a pair of jean shorts, some flip flops and some hair ties for someone’s doll. If you’re thinking like me… this would be perfect for the Fourth of July! :o)
Starting at the top… here are the ties that can be used in the dolls hair…
I found the cutest red and white checked blouse at the Goodwill the other day and loved it! It was a great scale for the dolls and the white floral design on top of the checks was really eye catching to me. The blouse was in like new condition, so there is lots more of this fabric to use! I added some blue buttons down one side of the bodice and some white cotton lace to the bottom. It closes in back with snaps.
I used the board shorts pattern for Violette’s shorts, but I made them just a slight bit shorter and the fabric was a thin denim in the prettiest blue. I like them worn with the dolls belly button showing… but that’s just me…
I don’t know why my picture doesn’t look like it does in real person. When I look at them on Violette, they flare out just a bit and are very flattering, but in my pictures they just look like square pants.
I had made these flip flops back when Susette bought the first swimsuit I made… that blue and pink one. She only wanted the swimsuit, so I just saved them, until I put them on Violette’s feet and loved the way they looked with the shorts and top.
Here’s one more look at Violette in her new snazzy Summery set.
Well, I better skedaddle to bed…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my goodness, Jeanne, what a darling outfit for Violette or any other Ruby Red doll! She looks ready to play or go on a summer picnic! Don’t forget Memorial Day is another “red, white and blue” holiday and is coming up before the 4th! All the stores that sell seasonal items already have their red, white and blue things out!
I love the way you fashioned the shorts, and I do see that they flare out a bit. The top is just darling! I love the way you trimmed it with lace and the blue buttons. And what do you know? The sandals look like they were made for this outfit! Maybe a little flag for her to hold while she watches the parade?
Oh gosh, just adorable Jeanne, Yes, I like the shape of the shorts with the flare! and that top is just really pretty! adorable gingham! The sandals are perfect too. I love this outfit.
I love Violette’s fluffy hair. She is beautiful!
I am so happy you are being a super winner mowing the lawn! It is good exercise, and I mean that only because exercise = ex-tra snacks!
I am very impressed with your enthusiasm Jeanne, it is good to get out there and do it.
Howeverrrrrr-r. If it ever gets to be too much, I know there are some teenagers around town, or even some of those handsome church members you could bake a pie for them.
See how it goes if the weather gets too warm.
Do any of you, in your area where you reside, have ticks?
I pulled a tick off of my ankle last week! Oooh they are nasty!
Yesterday, hubbs and I reached a “miles stone” it was a lame one, but…. we have all of the remaining contents of the old house on the main level (a lot). Hey, wait! we are only putting in two or three hours of “work” a day. …and I keep finding more things I want to hold on to for a while. This is brutal 😂 So today we will pack and/or repack neatly all of the items for Blue Ridge Charity. We will put that all in the family room, with the treadmill, and couch and some other big things.
Then we will make a pretty meager trash hauling pile. The trash company in that old neighborhood takes just about anything… except barbed wire haha – I do not think they will take the box springs which are brand new. I will ask the charity.
And good news, daughter is coming next Tuesday for the day and one night. She will sleep here at the new house, so I will make a bed for her! YAY🎉🥳😁
I hope all of you have a super lovely Wednesday. Take good care of yourselves.
I will let Christina pick two of the gooses to take home to the girls.
Sounds like a lot of work, Rosemary! I know the charity will be pleased!
Ticks??? YES!! There are SO many deer here and they are full of ticks. The ticks are tiny now because they are just coming out and are down in the leaves. I have had 6 so far. I was cleaning up some leaves yesterday and had to get up in the middle of last night to get one off! I hate spraying my clothes but I guess I will have to.
As an olden nurse, I should not be so mortified, but I am always disgusted when I have a tick. Other people’s ticks I can deal with, but “get off of my body!”
Yes, we do have ticks here in Missouri! However, they are mostly out in the country, where there are lots of weeds and tall grasses. We lived in the country during my teens, and our dogs always had ticks on them, and I have pulled out I don’t know how many ticks from them. We would have some on us too, but always pulled them out before they because engorged with blood. I was just used to ticks crawling around and they never bothered me. Now I see how dangerous that was, it back then I didn’t have a clue.
In the neighborhood we lived in when we were first married many of the people had fireplaces. One time seed ticks came in on someone’s firewood and before we knew it the whole neighborhood had them. We treated our lawn and our dog and still he was covered in ticks. Then we moved and before we moved him he went to the vet for thorough dipping and tick removal. Even trying to pet him was horrible because he was covered with ticks. We tried dipping him ourselves but they kept coming back. What the vet did worked better. Was glad when we moved and didn’t have the problem anymore. As for where we live now, so far so good.
Did I miss some news? Where is Charlotte? 🥰
I believe that Charlotte’s internet is down and should be repaired in a few days. She had to go to the library to use a computer, I think.
Oh this is great news. I was worried she had some big annoyance to cope with…. well, yes, internet. Interesting, my sister in Maryland is also experiencing some terrible internet, comcast cable was damaged somewhere? My hubbs helped her get internet over her phone
Dear Rosemary, thanks for the update. I miss Charlotte’s daily comments. I hope that her internet gets repaired soon.
I too am having Charlotte withdrawals and hope she’s back soon.
At the rate we are having to spend money on our yard, taxes, and now a huge tree falling from the neighbors into our yard we will be living on peanut butter! A few days ago the next door’s huge tree fell right into our yard. It missed every thing in the back yard, but because for GA law if a neighbor’s tree falls in your yard it is up to you to deal with it. Our neighbor’s wife made sure we knew that. Her husband is nicer, but goes along with what she says. When our neighbor on the other side’s tree fell and injured one of our trees he took care of it. Peyton and I had always said that if one of our trees fell on a neighbor’s yard we would share the cost. I was really upset that this woman we thought was a good friend felt this way, and she even tried to say that our yard guy may had done something that caused it is fall! She has inherited a ton of money…just sad to find out she is like that. You never know.
Jeanne I am so glad to see one of your girls in that cute outfit! I hope you will see more of these, I am sure they will be popular! The fabric on the top is a great find! And the flip flops are perfect with it. Great to hear you are back on the mowing, you are great at it by now, I am sure.
I believe the tree thing is the same here. However, your insurance company should handle it, not you. Then, you don’t have to deal with a naughty neighbor. In fact, the insurance company should have someone out there removing the mess right away as well. Good luck. I’ll be thinking of you.
Oh my, Sissy! Several years ago our neighbor’s tree fell mostly in our yard, but she took care of it completely. No idea what the law here says about that., but our neighbors are very nice here. I can’t imagine why YOU have to deal with THEIR tree.
I am shocked at the behavior of your neighbor. Please Sissy, I hope you and Peyton guard your hearts and just try to let it go. Perhaps they will come to their senses,… or not.
Either case, please let us know if you are suffering.
Have you looked at your homeowners policy? They should have something about this, especially with such a law in place.
Sissy….so sorry to read about your neighbor’s tree falling on your yard and then their attitude regarding the clean-up. She doesn’t sound like she believes in the saying: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. My daughter and I are facing a concern with new neighbors next door (and the homes are built close together now…so maybe we have 6 feet of space between us). The home stood newly built and empty for nearly a year by the builders (homes sales were down everywhere), and then an investor purchased it and finally after many more months went by, renters moved in a month ago. Problem is they have not mowed and their weeds have taken over….and this neighborhood has homes with mowed/fertilized lawns that are kept in order. I need to look at the HOA rules and laws and see if they hold the home’s owner (investor?) responsible….or if the renters are supposed to take care of mowing. And will the HOA do anything. I can take photos and email them to the HOA or possibly the city’s “environmental” group if they never do mow and the yard becomes a bug or snake infested sight. Or I have even thought…do unto others…and could mow it for them but we all know that there are folks that would take advantage of a “free” service and come to expect it done repeatedly. They could hire a lawn service if they don’t have the equipment but perhaps they can’t afford it. Our lawn fellow is reasonable (these yards are small) and I did ask him if he would leave his card in their door or check and see if they wanted his service. I wish the house was still up for sale by the builders because they had their lawn people show up faithfully every week to mow and edge the property. Did I mention that the new renters also have a mid-size dog that is let out in the fenced back yard but fortunately is not left out there other than for going potty? So he is not left out there barking 24/7. I have lived in many homes in my lifetime and have never had this lawn issue with any neighbors in the past. I am trying to be understanding and patient and imagining the worst if nothing is done. If anything, the city would come eventually, to mow it and give them a bill for the service.
I feel your dismay at your neighbors attitude and I would even be feeling angry. I hope your home insurance group will be able to help or provide some suggestions. Whatever happened to neighbors helping neighbors or is this only in the novels I read about the Amish or the late 1800’s? My dad used to say that during the depression, everyone seemed decent to each other because everyone was in the same boat.
When my parents bought their first home in 1954 it was in a newly built subdivision and tons of WWII veterans bought homes there. We did not have an HOA but everyone took great care of their property and i can’t think of one neighbor who neglected his mowing. If there was a case where a neighbor was ill or had surgery there was always someone who would come take care of the mowing for them for as long as it took and no one took it for granted. My son owns a home in a subdivision where most of the homes have been bought by investors. He has an HOA that keeps tabs on things, otherwise people would let the properties run down since most of the investors are probably out of state or out of country. I’m not a fan of HOAs because I think they often have too much power, but sometimes they are necessary to maintain a neighborhood when many of the residents are not the owners of the property.
Sissy, I am so sorry to hear about your neighbor’s tree falling in your yard. I’m so glad it missed doing damage but I can’t believe your neighbor isn’t even willing to help you out with the clean-up. I’m not sure exactly what the law is in Texas but it seems that insurance covers things like that if the tree was not damaged to begin with. I know that if my tree falls in my neighbors yard I am responsible for the clean-up not them. Crazy GA law.
With all of the tree talk, I had to look it up. Here, where it falls, the property owner is responsible or their insurance. Unless the tree was not maintained or diseased and the owner knew about it. See below.
In California, if a tree falls into a neighbor’s yard, the owner of the property where the tree lands is usually responsible for the cleanup and repairs, often through their own homeowner’s insurance. However, if the tree was dead, diseased, or poorly maintained and the owner knew of the danger, the owner of the tree is responsible.
Key Responsibility Rules in California:
“Act of God” Scenario: If a healthy tree falls during a storm or high winds, it is typically considered an “Act of God,” and the person whose property the tree falls on pays for damages.
I love love love the outfit! So much fun for summer that will be here before we know it. The fabric for the top is perfect and I love the shorts. So, maybe for another outfit, a cute little sundress from the same checks? It would be a great companion outfit. 🙂
And keeping up on the mowing it appears. That grass keeps on growing doesn’t it? Maybe you should look for a battery mower to do the edges? Other person absolutely loves his as I’ve mentioned before. In fact, he likes it so much, that we had to order a new blade yesterday. Other person somehow manages to run over valves, sprinkler heads, or wooden edging while he’s mowing. Anyway, we’ve had that mower for over ten years now and it works just fine. Well worth it and it is so easy to handle and push. It doesn’t have any assist, but you can get a model with that if you want. I will insist on that if we ever get another model.
I started weeding on the under deck edge yesterday and managed to clear out all of the weeds there about half way on one side. The rest I’m leaving for other person as there are no plants to uncover or damage there. 🙂 This morning we’re heading to the other house for more cutting and raking. Then, it looks like rain off and on for the next week. We need it, but hope that the thunder showers do not appear.
What a darling outfit on Violet. I think it will be a real winner. And the thongs are perfect for the outfit which is perfect for Memorial Day, summer and 4th of July as suggested.
Sounds you have mastered the grass cutter, Jeanne. Does your lawn mower have a name?
I’m a fan of Midlife Stockman on YouTube in the Detroit area. He calls his mower Big Red. He does amazing yard work in neighborhoods that need help. He doesn’t charge either. But has support through his YouTube site.
Yes, I have seen his work. Back in the days of olden, we always had teen-aged boys available for helping out the neighbors.
Dear Jeanne, Violet looks adorable in her new outfit. You can now add lawn care and mowing to your list of talents (smile).
What a sweet outfit on Violette. I love the red gingham fabric with white flowers. The blue shorts are very cute. A perfect set for Memorial Day.
Jeanne, I didn’t comment yesterday but I did take the tour of your sewing room. Ah for a room with all the storage you have. The tour was fun and you gave me some incentive to finally enter my sewing domain and do some things. I didn’t sew just yet because I’m trying to tidy up a room that has not been entered for many months, except to drop off some fabric, etc., that I bought. All this stuff going on around me has been difficult for me to traverse but I think I’m finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel on all things. Or maybe it was just Seasonal Affective Disorder – which I never get but it’s a good excuse.
But one of the things bogging me down reached a solution this morning and since I told all my Sofa Sisters about what has been going on with my city, I thought I should share the good news. Usually any gripes the city has with our property have been sent to both of us as joint property owners even though the gripes have been with David’s construction-related business or the mobile home park and not our personal property, so they always dismiss me. This time the notice was sent to him alone, but I went to court with him for moral support.
Since I wasn’t summoned, I had to sit and wait for him to come out of the room with the prosecutor before I could find out what happened. When he came out he looked at me and winked. i knew then it was probably good news but had to wait till the judge called him up for disposition. I heard her say oh the prosecutor dismissed the first case (the one from January 8 because everything was finished) and then she went to the second case, the one where we were cited for the things not done halfway through the three months they gave us for completion. She was totally surprised to find he had dismissed that one too. David said the prosecutor was embarrassed as he should have been because he should have caught that the timeframe wasn’t right. When David told them he was going to plead not guilty if necessary and get a jury trial but since the prosecutor (who is a nice guy) had helped us out in the past he hoped not to have to do that, it was decided to dismiss that one too. So we left court without having to pay anything and with a few attaboys on our side if we need them in the future. But after David came out of the room with the prosecutor and the two women who caused this whole fiasco in the first place, there was a whole lot of talking going on and I’m sure the prosector gave the two women a talk about how not to make things look like harassment and to make sure they mark their calendars correctly.
Thank you Barbara for sharing the end of this story!
I am so glad everything worked out in a calm manner. It was certainly a lot of worry for a time there.
I am relieved for both of you
Thanks Rosemary. It’s always fun to share good news after an exceedingly stressful time since we felt sure the one woman was out for revenge because we proved she was going where she wasn’t supposed to in order to get all her pictures. Unfortunately her boss did not want to hear that she was doing anything wrong and just takes her word for things and he is the one the prosecutor confers with if he has a question. The outcome is definitely answered prayer.
Well, what a wonderful outcome. I was on the edge of my chair waiting to hear what would happen. So glad it has worked out for you two. So, is the home building going to be okay? Sure hope so as I’m sure that homes are needed. Single family homes at reasonable prices are so needed here, but all that is being built are high rise apartments with not nearly enough parking allowed per unit. That is a really big problem as the people living there need cars to get to work to pay for the apartments which aren’t cheap. We don’t have much in the way of public transportation and people work in other counties often and commute, or places where they need a truck. So, they end up parking in neighborhoods which is another whole issue. Anyway, a big contrats on a great outcome. 🙂
Yes it definitely was a wonderful outcome and was as it should have been but one can never be sure where powers that be are concerned. Yes the home building will be okay. That was one of the reasons we hoped not to take it to trial since the man who is our liaison with the city is the boss of the woman causing all the trouble. The other woman is her trainee so I hope she learned something from this because she’s the one that prematurely issued the citation. Our homes will be adorable. An amazing use of space. I just hope we can keep the price down enough to sell them easily. I’ve noticed that some of the builders around here are lowering the prices of their homes but they were pretty greedy in their pricing in the first place. We also are gaining a plethora of apartments around here, which forced us to build a second elementary school. The junior high used to be the junior and senior high school campus and a few years ago they built a large new senior high school (if you build it they will come). Long gone is the wonderful rural town we moved to so we could get away from Houston. Even the traffic on our main drag is increasing a lot. Our town used to be almost all Czech and German for several generations. Mostly they were farmers and ranchers. Now it’s changed demographically and we have a lot of riff raff we didn’t use to have so now we have a huge police forrce where we used to only have two officers who worked the day shift and the sheriff’s department took over at night. And the worse thing is that we went from General Rule to Home Rule which gives the city a lot more power and they wield it with great authority as you can see from our dilemma.
I had to go back and look again at Violette’s outfit. It is truly adorable and I know my RRFF girls would love a try at it. I told them we’ll see.
Violette looks very sweet in her new outfit. The blouse was a good score and the shorts look great on her.
No ticks in New Zealand Rosemary. I hope you get sorted soon and can say goodbye to the old house.
Sissy, I really hope your insurance can help! What a stupid law, sorry I shouldn’t comment but I don’t understand why their tree is your responsibility!
I hope Charlotte gets her internet up and running soon, I miss her commenting.
Have a wonderful day everyone