Maybe Monday - How do they do that?

When you hear the birds tweeting and making different kinds of sound around our front door, I knew that something is going on.  For the past couple of days, we were not checking the special part where they like to build their nest.  Then all of a sudden, there it was, in not time they have built it.  So my husband brought it down and I took a picture and then he moved them to the backyard tree where it is more convenient for them to start their family.  It is amazing how it only took them a couple of days to collect all the twigs and leaves and construct the nest. 

Made by two very small birds.

These flowers were grown by my MIL's neighbor.  It was so bright and pretty.

 

Soulful Sunday - Flag Football

Every Sunday we are now committed to watching Gamble (Jeff's grandson) play flag football.  Last Sunday was the first game and also a bit of training.  It was very funny watching 5 and 6 year old boys and girls running around trying to get that ribbon as well as catching the ball.  I am guessing this is the first training and learning experience for these kids.  They will learn sportsmanship, friendship, winning and losing, but most of all having fun outdoors.  The bonus for Gamble is that his Dad is one of the Coach/trainer.  Both grandparents were in attendance as well as Gamble's mom and sister.  While watching the first part of their training or just learning the game, we (Grammie and Ola) saw one of the boys pushing and elbowing the smaller boy.  It's funny how both of us spoke up and were ready to complain and argue.  Of course the Grampas (Steve and Jeff) just told us to chill and be cool as Gamble was not involved.  Of course we argued that it could have been Gamble and that this boy should not be allowed to tackle or hit as this is called FLAG football.  Later on we shared stories on how we use to attend our sons sporting event.  What a coincidence that both of us were almost thrown out of the games because we were arguing with the umpire/referee.  Not the Grampas are not sure if we (grandmas) should be attending Gamble's games.  I still remember my son telling me after one of his games that if I don't behave like the other moms, I would not be allowed to come and watch any of his games.  Of course I learned very fast and the rest of the season I sat quietly and clap every now and again.  I am just very happy that I took my son to his games and was able to watch him do what he loved when it comes to sports.

Summary Saturday - 7777 Contest

So far I have received only one entry to my 7777 contest and although the counter has not reached the deadline, my daughter suggested to post all the 7 questions to make it easier and in the hopes that some of the readers might find it fun to enter.  Here's the three easy step.

READ - each of the following questions

ANSWER - answer all seven questions

SUBMIT - your answers plus name and address to my blog.

1.  WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
2. IF YOU HAD A CHOICE WHAT CITY WOULD YOU LIVE IN AND WHY?
3.  WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
4.  WHO IS THE PERSON  YOU LOOK UP TO MOST AND WHY?
5.  WHAT WOULD BE THE ONE THING YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WHY?
6. WHAT IS THE SIMPLIEST THING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND WHY?
7. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING THAT GAVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS?

Good luck and I am looking forward to some more entries and thank you for stopping by and just a little tip: the winner will receive seven surprise prizes with NO shipping charges.

Flip Flop Friday - How many do you have?

While my daughter was visiting I ended up buying two more flip flops because of two reasons: I don't have these colors and they were two for $5.00 - summer is almost here.  Yesterday I decided to take a review of my flip flops and to see which one I need to say goodbye.  My daughter even suggested one of them really has to go but since I don't have a replacement (navy blue), it will have to stay just one more summer. I am currently using a pink one as my house slippers.  What about your collection?  How many do you have?  The cool part about living in sunny San Jose is that I could wear them all year round.  

 Background on my flip flips: Starting from back: Pink and black - a hand me down from one of my daughter's girl friend,  Black and gold - from a store called Giant Tiger in Ottawa,  Purple and yellow - from Forever 21 when my daughter was visiting.  Red and white - from my daughter after her wedding.  Clear plastic with rhinestone - bought it for my first all inclusive in Costa Rica.  Nike navy blue - from my SIL.  Black with rhinestone - from a store that went out of business.  Turquoise - wore it at my daughter's wedding as it matches with my sun dress. White with bling - bought it from a market in Puerto Vallarta during our Carnival Cruise.   Beige with beads - extra flip flops during our 7 days in Punta Cana (my daughter's destination wedding). Brown with black ribbon - bought it for our Vegas trip last August 2010.  Orange - for my Vegas trip last January 2012 it was only $2.99.  Brown - had to buy one at Target because my feet was hurting from wearing a high wedge sandals.

Truthful Thursday - A special gift

When someone does something very special, it makes me feel some sort of connection.  Yesterday I mentioned in my post about the first swap I joined and what gifts I received in exchange for what I sent.  In the package was a hand made little crocheted owl.  I am not sure why but it made me think of my son.  Something in my memory banks remembers him sitting in our living room making the owl sound, I think it was because we were watching a bit of the Ellen show and she was making the same sound.  If he was still alive I know that he will love this little owl maybe put it somewhere in his desk or somewhere in his car.  I decided to name the owl with an inuit word ERNETUAR meaning "only son". This owl will now have a special place in our home and thank you Connie for making it for me.

Meet Ernetuar from Denmark

I found another song that was in one of my son's CD collection.  I was surprised that he liked this song (remake).  I believe the original was by Frankie Valli and the four seasons.

Win Win Wednesday - SWAP

My first and only SWAP arrived on Monday afternoon.  I was very excited about joining this and actually did not know the whole process until I ask my daughter to get permission from

Linny.  I waited for the deadline of the swap and then I got paired with Connie.  Just read her blog and she has posted what I have sent her.  Now it is my turn and here's what I received.

 

With the above items, Connie wrote a beautiful note and I loved it.  The black bag with Copenhagen Fashion week letters is a tote that I would be carrying with me at all times because of the San Jose NO plastic bag law.  When Connie found out that I love coffee,  she got this special coffee Mug (sales goes to Cancer research) and the chocolate mint flavor which wants to try also.  There are two bags of almonds (licorice and raspberry flavor) which is one of our favorite nut.  I am guessing a swap would not be complete without beauty products (face cream, hand balm, nail polish and hair product.  And last but not least my little blue OWL which was hand crocheted by Connie.  I immediately thought of giving it a name Ernetuar

(Inuit or Eskimo word for only son) and will be putting it in a special place in our home.  Thank you Connie for your favorite things. A special thanks to Linny for allowing me to join my first swap and for organizing it.  It was so worth the wait and what an exciting way to exchange gifts.

Timely Tuesday - Landscaping Issues

What is the lowest maintenance when it comes to front or backyard?  Heavenly Greens.  It's a little too expensive but you don't have to do anything with it.  We have been trying to help my MIL decide what to do with her front lawn and backyard.  Finally after a year of contemplating we have contacted a landscaper to give us some estimates.  We are going to request for two separate quotes, one for the front and one for the back.  Once we get the estimates we will discuss it with my husband and then make a final decision or get another company to provide an estimate.  So here's what Heavenly Greens do to your lawn.

Before and after. No mowing, no watering, just perfect greens all year round.

Maybe something like this might work.

Or something like this Las Vegas style.

Maybe the first company can give us a good deal and great ideas as this particular landscaper did some work at my husband's previous home when he was renovating it for resale.  He said that this man was a hard worker and gave him a good price.